Overview:

Food Safety/Quality Assurance Managers abide by regulatory authority compliance for food companies products. They do so by implementing policies, strategies, and methodology testing.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Responsible for the quality control aspects of raw materials and finished products
• Prepares reports on each test preformed for measuring quality, quantity and composition
• Computes formulas, percentages or production specific factors using chemical and mathematical procedures
• Assist in setting quality standards and ensure that production is maintained at such standards
• Sample and identify, if any, bacterial or non-desirable excess material
• Prepare graphs, charts and reports from test results
• Responsible for maintaining the long-term continuity of production and service quality
• Completes tests required for food product packaging
• Keep records of all tests that have been carried out
• Perform quality control analysis including tests and inspections of products and processes
• Maintain the corporate quality manual and quality records
• Review and report the principle causes of quality loss and non-conformance
• Ensure all check sheets are correctly completed and all non-compliance found have had the correct action taken and signed off
• Arrange, coordinate and participate in external quality audits

What education and training is required?

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, or Chemical Engineering.

To pursue a career in Food Safety/Quality Assurance:

The following high school courses are recommended:  agricultural education, biology, chemistry and mathematics.

Typical Employers:

Food production companies, food chemical supply companies, and government inspection agencies.

Future Job Market/Outlook:

The future outlook for Food Safety/Quality Assurance Mangers is projected to be fair.

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:

• Produce Marketing Association
• American Council for Food Safety and Quality
• National Association of Wheat Growers
• American Association of Meat Processors