Manager, FSQA
West Columbia, SC, US, 29172
Hungry for a career that’s as rewarding as it is delicious?
At Aspire Bakeries, we don’t just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery® artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer® cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food.
We’re looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that’s on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!
With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you’re ready to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you
- Culture - Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
- Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs.
- Work-Life Balance – Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
- Financial Security – Competitive retirement plans, plus short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
- Growth & Development – Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries’ learning and development programs.
- Flexibility & Support – HSA and FSA plans to help you manage everyday expenses.
- Recognition & Rewards – Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.
About the Role
We are seeking a Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager to join our team at our Cayce, SC bakery. As an FSQA Manager, you will be accountable for leading food safety and quality programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement to deliver safe, high-quality products that meet customer and industry standards.
Core Accountabilities (What You’ll be Doing)
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems (AIMS, QMS, HACCP, GMPs)
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and GFSI standards (BRC, SQF)
- Oversee and maintain the Food Safety Plan, including preventive controls, validation, and verification activities
- Drive cross-functional collaboration to improve product quality, food safety, and operational performance
- Manage customer and consumer complaints through root cause analysis, corrective actions, and trend reporting
- Lead, develop, and coach the QA team while influencing plant-wide food safety culture
- Represent the bakery during customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, ensuring audit readiness and compliance
Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field (or equivalent industry experience)
- 5–7 years of food manufacturing or quality experience, including leadership responsibility
- Certified in HACCP with strong knowledge of food safety systems and regulatory requirements
- Experience with GFSI standards (BRC, SQF) and audit processes
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Proficiency in computer systems including spreadsheets and quality/statistical tools
- Ability to meet physical requirements, including standing/walking for extended periods and lifting up to 50 lbs
Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)
- PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification or experience
- Experience with SAP or advanced statistical process control (SPC) tools
- Strong knowledge of microbiology, aseptic sampling, and food safety testing methods
- Experience in bakery or similar food production environments
- Proven success leading continuous improvement and quality initiatives
Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants.
