Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager
Southern California | $120,000–$150,000 | Direct Hire
ParkerBeth Search Partners is recruiting a Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager for a mission-driven food manufacturer expanding its USDA-regulated prepared-food capabilities in Southern California.
This is a highly visible, floor-facing opportunity for an experienced USDA food safety professional who wants real ownership—not a desk-bound compliance role. You will serve as the facility’s day-to-day USDA/FSIS authority while helping integrate and scale Raw and Ready-to-Eat manufacturing. The role starts as a senior individual contributor with significant autonomy and has the potential to build and lead an FSQA team as the operation grows.
Why This Role Stands Out
• Own USDA/FSIS compliance during a major manufacturing expansion
• Help integrate a newly acquired prepared-food operation
• Build scalable systems rather than maintain a static program
• Gain meaningful autonomy and leadership visibility
• Create the foundation for a future FSQA team
• Support a mission centered on feeding children and seniors
What You’ll Own
• Lead day-to-day USDA/FSIS regulatory relationships and inspection readiness.
• Own HACCP programs across Raw and Ready-to-Eat prepared foods.
• Manage kill steps, thermal processing, cooling, sanitation and cross-contamination controls.
• Participate directly in pre-op inspections and production startup.
• Maintain USDA labeling, ingredient declaration, allergen and regulatory documentation compliance.
• Strengthen SQF systems, audit readiness, Environmental Monitoring, CAPA and root cause analysis.
• Partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, R&D and Supply Chain.
• Build scalable FSQA systems for increased manufacturing complexity and future growth.
What You Bring
• 10+ years of progressive FSQA experience in high-volume USDA-regulated food manufacturing.
• Significant direct experience working with USDA/FSIS inspectors and regulatory personnel.
• Expert-level understanding of USDA/FSIS regulations and HACCP processing categories.
• Significant Raw and Ready-to-Eat production experience.
• Deep knowledge of kill steps, thermal processing, cooling, sanitation and cross-contamination controls.
• Strong USDA labeling experience.
• HACCP certification required.
• Strong SQF and audit-readiness experience.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Safety or related field required.
• Scratch cooking or complex prepared-food manufacturing strongly preferred.
Schedule & Location
• Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–1:30 PM.
• Five days onsite in Carson, California.
• Position relocates to the new La Mirada facility in early 2027.
• Flexibility required around USDA activity, audits, production changes and critical food safety needs.
Compensation
• Base salary: $120,000–$150,000
• Comprehensive and highly competitive Benefits package
This role is built for someone who is technically strong enough to sit across from USDA/FSIS, practical enough to work directly on the production floor, and independent enough to take ownership without waiting for direction.
ParkerBeth Search Partners brings over 20 years of recruitment expertise, specializing in connecting top talent with leading companies on the West Coast. We are dedicated to integrity, long-term partnerships, and helping both clients and candidates achieve lasting success.
ParkerBeth is an equal opportunity executive search and staffing firm. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.
