FSQA Manager

Company: Aspire Bakeries
Location: Stockton
Posted on: March 13, 2025

Job Description:

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery , Otis Spunkmeyer , and Oakrun Farm Bakery . With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

As the FSQA Manager at Aspire Bakeries, you will be a leader in ensuring food safety and quality across our operations, products, and customers. You will develop and implement best practices, policies, and programs to comply with regulatory agencies and meet our high standards. You will also provide guidance, training, and feedback to your team and other stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and excellence. If you have a passion for food safety and quality, a strong background in bakery operations, and a collaborative mindset, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities:

• Drive continuous improvement in Food Safety and Quality Assurance by supporting bakery team goals and key performance indicator (KPI) achievement.
  • Set challenging, reasonable performance expectations for microbiological performance, foreign material control, regulatory compliance, and Food Safety Plan programs.
  • Responsible for the selection, motivation and development of food safety and quality assurance personnel to ensure all positions are effectively staffed and managed. Reviews progress with Human Resources on an ongoing basis. Conducts timely formal performance evaluations for all direct reports, in addition to recommending developmental training.
  • Responsible for implementing and improving standardized food safety and quality assurance policies including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Risk Based Preventive Controls (HARPC), Aspire Integrated Management System (AIMS), maintaining food safety and quality documentation in ETQ and creating improvement strategies for the business.
  • Responsible for clearly identifying and communicating Quality and Food Safety objectives to the bakery management and operations teams.
  • Responsible for providing training, as needed, to bakery and Central Service personnel on quality, foods safety and basic food hygiene practices
  • Responsible for reviewing the effective completion of root cause analysis and corrective actions to all non-conformances at bakery level and non-conformances communicated by customers.
  • Responsible for supporting bakery management teams in resolving food safety and quality nonconformities and implementing effective root cause analysis and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Responsible for verifying the completion of on-going finished product sensory evaluation reviews and identifying quality opportunities for improvement to bakery teams.
  • Responsible for completion of independent food safety, GMP, and bakery hygiene gap assessments in the bakery, distribution centers and supplier locations, as needed.
  • Monitoring and oversight of bakery FSQA budgets, working in tandem with bakery controller(s).
  • Provide support in preparation for and leading, as needed, during customer and third party audits.
  • Responsible for providing support and direction to bakeries in the implementation of AIMS programs and ETQ compliance platform.
  • Responsible for verifying completion of bakery(s) FSQA Compliance Calendar(s).
  • Responsible for supporting the up-dating and the continuous review of existing Food Safety Plans to incorporate current GMP practices, prerequisite programs, Process Preventive Controls, Allergen Preventive Controls, Sanitation Preventive Controls and Supply Chain Applied Controls.
  • Responsible for supporting bakery Food Safety (HARPC) team in the evaluation and implementation of appropriate controls for biological, chemical (including radiological and allergens), physical and economically motivated hazards to our foods. This should also include consideration for the development of defect action limits, hygienic zoning and adequate by-product controls.
  • Responsible for the effective implementation and adherence to the Aspire Bakeries Recall and Traceability Program.
  • Responsible for understanding all applicable food regulations (international, national, state, and local), leading bakery teams in meeting regulations, and effectively interacting with regulatory personnel.
  • Responsible for understanding, implementation of, and leading the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Standard (e.g. BRC). Assisting bakery locations in recertification, and overseeing bakery preparations for customer and third party audits.
  • Routinely interfaces with key customers to preserve and enhance the image of the company as a competent supplier of quality foods exceeding their expectations.
  • Responsible for assuring the bakery team effectively investigate customer/consumer complaints using root cause analysis, corrective actions and preventive measures, and responding to complaints in the required timeframe, and analysing complaint trends for continuous improvement.
  • Supports new food development to ensure appropriate controls and inspections are in place for the successful launch of new foods (e.g. sampling, sensory, process controls, SPC, visual aid guides, spec development).
  • Additional duties as required, assigned. Qualifications:
    • Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Technology, or Food Science preferred or sufficient experience in the food industry to cover the technical skills needed.
    • Minimum of 5 years comprehensive food processing, food safety and quality experience with an extensive background in manufacturing food industry, HACCP, USDA, or FDA preferred
    • Training in HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points).
    • Certified in a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard such as BRC or SQF
    • Previous experience with GFSI, BRC, SQF and/or USDA audits desirable.
    • Understanding of microbiology aseptic sampling, methods, and interpretation
    • Knowledge of food hygiene, hygienic zoning, cGMP's, and environmental monitoring.
    • Good writing, statistics (SPC and charting), analytical, and critical thinking skills
    • Proficient in computers including spreadsheets, statistical programs, and SAP applications Salary Range: $93,000-$115,000
      
      Benefits Designed with You in Mind
      
      At Aspire Bakeries, we're committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and financial stability. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
      
      Health & Wellness:
      • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
      • Company-paid life insurance
      • Optional voluntary benefits Work-Life Balance:
        • Paid parental leave
        • Paid time off and holidays Financial Security:
          • Competitive 401(k) plan with a 100% vested company match
          • Short-term and long-term disability coverage Continuous Growth:
            • Tuition reimbursement program
            • Flexible Spending:
            • HSA and FSA options Performance-Based Rewards:
              We value your hard work and dedication. That's why we offer performance-driven incentive programs tailored to your role:
              • Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP): Recognizing individual and team achievements.
              • Sales Incentive Plan (SIP): Rewarding excellence in sales performance.
              • Bakery Incentive Plan (BIP): Focused on achieving bakery-specific performance goals. At Aspire Bakeries, we believe that when you succeed, we all succeed. Join us and experience benefits that truly work as hard as you do!
                
                Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate's starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed In this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.
                
                Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
                
                

Keywords: Aspire Bakeries, Stockton , FSQA Manager, Executive , Stockton, California