Quality Assurance Head

Lead and oversee Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC) and Food Safety functions across all units. Ensure consistent product quality, statutory compliance, customer satisfaction, and robust food safety systems for a diverse client base. Drive continuous improvement, maintain audit readiness and build quality and food culture in the group.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• FSMS & Regulatory Ownership: Own and manage the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) to ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, FSSAI, GMP, Sedex, TACCP, VACCP, and customer-specific requirements.
• Policy & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop, implement, and review company-wide quality policies and SOPs spanning incoming material, milling, blending, packaging, storage, lab testing, positive release, pest control and hygiene.
• Audit Management: Oversee all internal and external audits (FSSC 22000, Sedex, FSSAI and customer) BRCGS, AIB, USFDA added advantage. Lead audit preparation, auditor liaison, successful certification outcomes, and timely non-conformity closures.
• Traceability: Establish Traceability Protocols across all plants
• Allergen & Environmental Control: Enforce comprehensive Allergen Management Programs (cross-contact prevention, cleaning validations) and drive an Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) for pathogen and hygiene indicators.
• Routine Operational QA/QC: Guide the team on incoming raw material, packaging materials, in-process checks, finished goods release, and independent decision-making on process deviations, product holds & release.
• Customer Complaint Resolution: Resolve customer complaints quickly and sustainably.
• Packaging Standards: Oversee parameters for primary and secondary packaging materialsincluding barrier properties.
• Shelf-Life & Testing Validation: Oversee shelf-life studies, competitor benchmarking, baking trials, and infestation control(kill-step) process validations to optimize stability and compliance.
• Team Leadership & Inspection: Conduct regular plant hygiene/GMP inspections and mentor plant QA/QC personnel & Cross functional team, management on quality culture and best practices.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Food Safety Standards: Hands on experience in FSSC 22000, Sedex, FSSAI and customer audits) BRCGS, AIB, USFDA added advantage
• Risk Management: TACCP (Food defence), VACCP (Food Fraud Mitigation), Allergen Management, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), CAPA.
• Operational QA: Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP), Traceability Mass Balance, CIP/COP Validation, Shelf-Life Validation, First Pass Yield (FPY), Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Technical & Packaging: Barrier Properties, Export Packaging Regulations, Milling & Blending.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Experience: 10+ years of managerial experience in QA/QC roles within food processing or FMCG. Hands-on experience in flour quality management is an added advantage.
• Education: B.Tech / M.Tech / M.Sc in Food Technology or related field (CFTRI graduates preferred). PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) or Lead Auditor Certification (FSSC 22000 / ISO 22000) is highly desirable.
• Technical Mastery: Proven track record in managing food safety audits (Internal & External) & regulatory audits.
• Soft Skills & Leadership: Strong analytical, crisis management, leadership, and English/Hindi communication skills (knowledge of Telugu is an added advantage).

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

Process Control 20%
Product wise blend tracking, First Pass Yield (FPY), Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).

Testing & SOP Compliance – 25%
SOP adherence, Lab testing, batch monitoring, Vendor monitoring tracking (RM & PM).

Audit & Compliance – 25%
FSSC 22000, FSSAI, Sedex, Internal and external audits.

Customer Complaint Closure – 20%
Sustainable resolution in 7 days.

Training & Uplift Food safety culture – 10%
Regular refresher training, food safety & quality culture implementation & tracking.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

Travel on a need basis up to 30-40% of the time across manufacturing units (Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Warangal) and customer sites.