Quality Assurance Manager – Beverage Category

QA Manager – Sacramento, CA
(On-Site, relocation is supported)

About Our Client:

Our client is a fast-growing beverage manufacturer building a new greenfield facility in the San Francisco-to-Sacramento corridor. With an innovative portfolio that includes bottled and sparkling teas (and potential future line extensions), this organization is investing in world-class quality systems and regulatory readiness ahead of a 2027 manufacturing start-up.
What Our Client Offers You:

• Base salary: $150,000–$175,000
• Bonus package: Yes
• Medical benefits: Strong U.S. benefit plan; Medical/Dental/Vision
• Retirement
• Paid time off (holiday/vacation/sick)
• Relocation assistance: Yes (relocation supported)

What You’ll Do:

As the QA Manager, you’ll play a pivotal leadership role in building and institutionalizing a best-in-class Quality Management System for a new beverage manufacturing site. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape food safety, regulatory compliance, and certification readiness from the ground up—partnering cross-functionally as the facility prepares for commercial production.

• Build, maintain, and enforce the site Quality Management System (QMS), including SOPs, HACCP/HARPC, GMPs, and document control
• Lead FDA and regulatory compliance efforts, including readiness for inspections and required filings (as applicable)
• Own supplier approval and ingredient/packaging compliance (COAs, specifications, audits), and manage vendor issues through root-cause and CAPA
• Oversee complaint investigations (consumer/customer) and drive corrective actions using structured problem-solving tools
• Partner closely with Production and Maintenance to ensure process controls, CIP/SIP validation, calibration, and aseptic/UHT-related controls are executed effectively
• Lead and develop the QA team (2–3 direct reports), including training, performance management, and building a strong quality culture

Qualifications You Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field
• 5+ years of beverage manufacturing quality experience
• Proven success building and implementing FDA-compliant QA systems in a plant environment
• Working knowledge of FDA food regulations, including 21 CFR Part 117 (Parts 108/113/114 strongly preferred)
• PCQI certification (required) or ability to obtain prior to commercial production; Better Process Control School strongly preferred
• Experience with SQF and AIB certifications and plant-wide food safety program implementation

Recruiter Information:
Rob Navarro
RobN@kinsa.com