Quality Assurance & Process Authority Manager

At Furmano Foods, you join a value-driven company with a legacy built on farm, faith, and family since 1921. We are dedicated to producing quality, shelf-stable foods while nurturing our employees, community, and the environment. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact while contributing to a culture of quality, service, and sustainability.

Position Summary : Quality Assurance & Process Authority Manager

This role combines manufacturing Quality Assurance leadership with thermal processing, food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Initial responsibilities emphasize QA management, FDA and GFSI compliance, process monitoring, and technical investigations.

Through structured training and mentorship with Furmano’s current Thermal Process Authority, the successful candidate will develop expertise in process evaluation, validation, and development, with the long-term objective of succeeding the current authority. Advancement depends on documented competencies, training milestones, and formal assessments rather than tenure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Thermal Processing and Process Authority Development

• Work with the current Thermal Process Authority through defined learning objectives, practical assignments, competency assessments, and documented milestones.
• Develop expertise in commercial sterilization, batch and continuous retorts, heat penetration and distribution, process calculations, and scheduled process requirements.
• Support thermal studies, validation, data evaluation, and investigations of process deviations, equipment performance, and product safety impacts.
• Evaluate formulation, packaging, ingredient, and equipment changes; maintain processing documentation, regulatory filings, and scheduled process records.
• Develop sound judgment in evaluating processing risks and corrective actions; assume independent Process Authority duties only after demonstrated qualification and formal authorization.

2. Quality Assurance and Food Safety Management

• Support effective Food Safety and Quality Management Systems and compliance with applicable FDA requirements, including 21 CFR Parts 113, 114, and 117.
• Support BRCGS and other applicable GFSI-recognized certification requirements, internal audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in food safety plans, hazard analysis, preventive control verification, FDA inspections, third-party audits, and customer assessments.
• Investigate quality issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to strengthen manufacturing controls and first-pass quality; maintain an active manufacturing-floor presence.

3. Manufacturing Process and Product Quality Improvement

• Analyze manufacturing and laboratory data for trends, variability, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead or support cross-functional projects improving product consistency, defect reduction, waste prevention, and process reliability.
• Evaluate retort operations, filling systems, formulation controls, and other processes affecting food safety and quality.
• Improve quality standards, testing methods, procedures, and controls; investigate texture, consistency, formulation, container integrity, and processing performance.
• Apply structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methods to deliver measurable results.

4. Laboratory Operations and Product Development Support

• Guide finished-product testing, product grading, and quality laboratory operations; ensure reliable methods, calibration, records, and employee training.
• Support product development, reformulation, plant trials, and commercialization, particularly changes affecting thermal processing or food safety.
• Participate in shelf-life studies, product evaluations, and process optimization; collaborate with R&D on ingredient and formulation compliance, processing requirements, and performance.

5. Leadership, Training, and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coach and develop assigned QA and laboratory personnel; reinforce food safety and quality accountability with manufacturing leaders.
• Develop and deliver training on thermal processing, process controls, and quality requirements.
• Communicate technical findings, regulatory concerns, and improvement opportunities to management.
• Demonstrate Furmano’s core values: Safety, Thankfulness, Honesty, Kindness, To be Unified, Diligent, and Stick-to-it-ive-ness.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant technical experience may be considered.
• Three to five years of progressive experience in food manufacturing, Quality Assurance, food safety, process engineering, or a related technical function.
• Experience or demonstrated familiarity with thermal processing, retort operations, commercial sterilization, or other validated food manufacturing processes.
• Working knowledge of food safety management systems, FDA regulations, and manufacturing quality practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including interpretation of technical data and manufacturing records.
• Ability and willingness to complete specialized thermal processing training, technical studies, and competency assessments.
• Effective communication, organization, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Preferred

• Experience in low-acid canned, acidified, or shelf-stable foods; familiarity with 21 CFR Parts 113 and 114 and scheduled processes.
• Better Process Control School (BPCS) completion, or willingness to complete the applicable program after hire.
• Experience with batch or continuous retorts, thermal process validation, or heat penetration and distribution studies.
• Experience supporting BRCGS or another GFSI-recognized certification; HACCP, preventive controls, internal audits, root cause analysis, or corrective action management.
• Experience in product development, formulation, laboratory testing, or manufacturing process improvement.
• Prior supervisory or technical team leadership experience.
• Prior qualification as a Thermal Process Authority is desirable but not required.

Process Authority Development and Succession

This position provides a structured pathway toward succeeding Furmano’s current Thermal Process Authority. An individualized program will build mastery of thermal processing principles, regulatory requirements, process evaluation, technical investigations, and practical validation.

Progress will be measured through established competencies, documented training, assigned projects, and formal performance reviews. Independent Process Authority responsibilities require demonstrated technical competence and formal authorization. Program completion or assumption of full responsibilities is not guaranteed by time in the position.

Key Success Factors

• Demonstrated progress toward Thermal Process Authority competency milestones.
• Effective FDA regulatory and GFSI certification compliance support.
• Improved process consistency and first-pass product quality.
• Successful technical investigations and measurable improvement projects.
• Strong cross-functional relationships, communication, and leadership.
• Accurate documentation, sound technical judgment, and commitment to food safety.

Physical and Work Requirements

Frequent standing and walking in manufacturing and laboratory environments; occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling; computer and laboratory work requiring manual dexterity; exposure to varying temperatures and noise; and use of required personal protective equipment.

Work Schedule:

Schedule: Primarily first shift, Monday–Friday; flexibility required to support manufacturing operations, including possible Saturday support.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Onsite nurse
• Corporate Chaplain
• Dependent Scholarship Assistant Program

Ability to Commute:

• Northumberland, PA 17857 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Northumberland, PA 17857: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Employment Disclaimer

This position is based in Pennsylvania and is considered "at-will." This means that either the employee or the employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and for any reason not prohibited by law. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under the law.

This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit the supervisor’s ability to modify work assignments as appropriate to meet the needs of the organization.