Quality Assurance Manager

California Dairies, Inc.

Los Banos, CA

Pay: $100,480-$137,644/yr

Shift: Full time

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world.

Located in the heart of the Central Valley, our Los Banos manufacturing facility specializes in creating high value milk powder.

We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

**Our commitment to CDI employees:**

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Manager oversees all quality systems, food safety programs, and regulatory compliance for the dairy manufacturing facility (butter, powder, and packaging). This role ensures adherence to the Food Safety plan, HACCP, GMP, SQF, and regulatory standards while leading the QA laboratory team and supporting overall plant performance.

Essential Functions

• Oversee plant SQF, HACCP / Food Safety plan, GMP, Allergen, and Bio-Security programs to ensure total food safety and compliance.
• Lead daily reviews of microbiological test results, daily HACCP / Food Safety plan sheets, in-process production logs, and CIP (Clean-In-Place) sanitation records; investigate out-of-spec trends or cleaning failures.
• Manage product release processes, including reviewing Certificates of Analysis (C of A) for butter and powder; manage hold/release inventory as needed.
• Direct the Environmental Microbiological Monitoring program.
• Design and deliver annual and new-hire training for GMP, HACCP / Food Safety plan, Allergen, and Bio-Security programs.
• Conduct daily plant inspections to verify GMP adherence, sanitation levels, and State/USDA seal integrity.
• Serve as the primary plant liaison for Federal, State, local, USDA, and third-party inspectors during audits and equipment checks.
• Oversee the plant wastewater program, ensuring sampling, testing, and monthly/quarterly/annual NPDES permit reporting are fully compliant.
• Manage, schedule, and develop Quality Assurance Technicians; conduct performance evaluations and training.
• Standardize sampling and testing protocols across all laboratory staff.
• Oversee calibration schedules and maintenance for lab and processing equipment (thermometers, NIRs, pH meters, refractometers, etc.).
• Manage laboratory supply inventory and purchasing budgets.
• Enforce SQF,QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

**If applicable, include the following:**

**Lead:**

• Clearly communicate the company's vision & goals and how the team's work contributes to them.
• Set a positive example through their own work ethic, attitude, and commitment to quality.
• Develop and empower team members by delegating tasks effectively and providing opportunities for growth and development.

**Guide:**

• Provide clear instructions and expectations, along with the “why”, for tasks and projects.
• Offer regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and performance.
• Foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, emphasizing that the team is stronger together.

**Support:**

• Recognize and celebrate team accomplishments and individual contributions.
• Advocate for the team's needs and concerns, up, down, and across the organization.
• Encourage and support the team to challenge the status quo, to identify and suggest process improvements, and to embrace innovation.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong working knowledge of SQF, HACCP, FSMA, USDA regulations, and NPDES wastewater permits.
• Proven experience managing lab technicians, developing teams, and driving a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strong root-cause analysis, analytical troubleshooting, and math/statistical skills.
• Proficiency with quality tracking software, lab instruments, and basic data entry systems.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assi