Manager, Quality Assurance & Packaging
Location: El Segundo, CA (Home Office Location)
Reports to: Senior Manager, Quality Assurance & Packaging
Thai Union North America (Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods)
Job Purpose
The Manager, Quality Assurance & Packaging supports the Senior Manager in the day-to-day implementation and execution of quality and packaging programs for Thai Union North America's frozen and perishable seafood business. This role coordinates quality and packaging activities across the global supply chain, including teams in India, Thailand, Indonesia, USA, and Canada. The Manager ensures regulatory compliance, packaging accuracy, and food safety through cross-functional collaboration with co-packers, suppliers, and internal departments, such as the commercial team. From time to time may engage with customers directly on QA and packaging related matters. This is an in-office role in our El Segundo (Los Angeles) office with a compensation range of 90k-100k, DOE.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Assurance Support
- Assist in managing the global QA team and aligning workflows across regional operations.
- Support the maintenance of QA systems and documentation to meet FDA, BRC, CFIA, and FSVP requirements.
- Coordinate internal audits, supplier/co-packer audits, and ensure timely follow-up on corrective actions.
- Support the execution of HACCP plans, allergen controls, recall readiness, and traceability documentation.
- Conduct root cause analysis and assist with implementation of CAPAs for customer complaints and quality incidents.
- Track and compile QA metrics and dashboards for internal and customer reporting.
- Assist in the onboarding and qualification of new co-packers and raw material suppliers, ensuring compliance and food safety readiness.
Packaging Implementation
- Coordinate packaging component development and updates, including material specifications, labels, barcodes, and regulatory compliance across markets.
- Assist with routing, approval, and version control of packaging artwork using SAP, SharePoint, and Box.
- Manage timelines for re-packs, private label launches, and packaging transitions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Support vendor coordination, print proofing, and shipping of packaging components to co-packers.
- Ensure bilingual/multilingual packaging compliance in collaboration with Regulatory and Sales teams.
- Maintain organized packaging documentation and support packaging audits.
Operational & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and Operations to ensure quality and packaging execution meets commercial timelines.
- Serve as liaison with external vendors, labs, and testing agencies for ongoing QA and packaging projects.
- Support sustainability initiatives, including packaging reduction, recyclability, and traceability efforts.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings to support quality and packaging initiatives and escalate risks when needed.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Accuracy and timeliness of QA documentation and packaging approvals.
- Completion of audit corrective actions within required timelines.
- Reduction in customer complaints related to packaging and product quality.
- Successful project support for new launches and transitions.
- System maintenance and version control accuracy for packaging specs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Packaging, or related field.
- 4+ years of experience in food quality and/or packaging, preferably with frozen/perishable products.
- Familiarity with FDA, BRC, CFIA, and FSVP requirements.
- Experience supporting co-packers and working with suppliers across global regions.
- Proficiency with QA/packaging systems (SAP, Ariba, SharePoint).
- Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
- Ability to manage people
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Competencies and Values
- Execution-Focused: Able to drive projects forward with attention to detail and urgency.
- Team-Oriented: Works collaboratively across time zones and departments.
- Analytical: Capable of analyzing problems and identifying effective solutions.
- Quality-Driven: Maintains high standards in documentation and compliance.
- Adaptable: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, global business environment.