Quality Manager

About TruRoots

TruRoots is a private equity-backed CPG food and beverage company with thriving, category-leading brands that Consumers love. We are focused on accelerating growth through expanding our Brand portfolios, which include RW Knudsen Family juices, Santa Cruz Organic beverages and apple sauces, TruRoots grains, and private label customers.

Quality Manager

The Quality Manager ensures that our products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and consistency, earning the trust of our customers and consumers. This role is essential to maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, fostering a culture of quality, and driving continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has expertise in thermal processing, juice HACCP, and BRC standards. This position reports to the Senior Director of Quality and is based in Chico, CA.

Key Responsibilities

Quality and Food Safety Systems

• Enhance, implement, and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with BRC Global Standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Oversee critical programs, including HACCP, allergen management, sanitation, traceability, recall readiness, internal audits, and food defense.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and other applicable regulatory standards.
• Manage product release and hold processes to ensure timely, accurate decision-making.
• Conduct trend analysis using quality and food safety data to identify improvement opportunities and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute change management initiatives effectively.
• Develop and present actionable quality metrics and audit outcomes to leadership teams.

Team Leadership

• Lead, train, and mentor the Quality Assurance team to enhance their technical and professional capabilities.

• Champion Food Safety Culture initiatives, ensuring all employees understand their role in maintaining food safety and compliance.

• Promote collaboration with Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain teams to address quality challenges proactively.

Training

• Design, implement, and maintain robust training programs to ensure all employees, including new hires, comply with quality, food safety, and regulatory standards.
• Regularly evaluate training effectiveness, addressing knowledge gaps, or emerging regulatory requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive training records for internal tracking and audit readiness.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of quality assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment, with leadership experience preferred.
• In-depth experience with thermal processing systems (e.g., pasteurization) and validation protocols.
• Familiarity with BRC, Organic, Kosher, and Non-GMO certification requirements.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of quality systems and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in quality management software and tools, such as SPC, CAPA, and ERP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire high-performance teams, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Acts with ethics and integrity, demonstrating accountability and fairness in all decisions.

TruRoots is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, natural origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

In compliance with federal and state employment laws, TruRoots prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants based on these protective characteristics. This policy applies to all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer compensation, benefits, training, and termination.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Our commitment to diversity extends beyond compliance with the law. It is integral to our culture and central to our success as an organization.