Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager, Kapua Orchards

Job Description

Job DescriptionAre you known for exceeding expectations? Do you embrace the Spirit of Hawai‘i? Then please keep reading because we’re looking for people like you at Hawaiian Host Group.
Who are we? Hawaiian Host Group (HHG) is a leading Hawai‘i-based consumer goods company with a portfolio of brands that includes Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, MacFarms, and Kapua Orchards. Sold in over 23 countries, HHG produces a suite of products ranging from flavored macadamia nuts to premium treats. Our dedicated team of Hosts of Hawai‘i is spread across our headquarters in Honolulu and offices in Hilo, Kona, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. HHG has 3 manufacturing plants in Hawai'i, as well as the state's largest single macadamia farm.
We are an excited team of people that all have one vision in common: sharing the Spirit of Hawai‘i with the world. Expect camaraderie, product tastings, and other (virtual and in-person) events that make our culture unique. And more importantly, know that your work contributes to our purpose; to make the Islands’ future flourish. We do this through our Takitani foundation that grants scholarships to deserving local students, our solar farm on the Big Island, and other social & environmental initiatives.
That’s enough about us for now, we’d love to learn more about you. Read the job description below and let us know if you’re interested. We can’t wait to meet you!

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager is responsible for managing FSQA programs and activities for the Kapua Orchards facility to ensure compliance with Company policies, FSQA standards, government regulations (FDA, FSMA), and industry best practices including BRCGS, GMP and HACCP. This critical role supports a vertically integrated macadamia operation that includes on-site orchard production and the receipt of nuts from external growers, followed by husking, drying, cracking, pasteurization, roasting, sizing, and sorting in our processing plant. The FSQA Manager ensures excellence in food product quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements throughout all stages of processing. This role leads FSQA continuous improvement for the site for both quality of product and quality process improvement initiatives.

This role also supports the overall site operations working as a critical team member with the Orchard/Plant Management team to improve the cost, efficiency, and profitability of the Company by reducing waste and improving quality yield. The role oversees food safety and quality inspections, maintaining product quality through documented processes, and preparing and managing quality data and records, including training of staff for audit and development purposes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Execution & Implementation:

• Directs the activities of the Kapua FSQA Department in the effective and efficient execution of their functional responsibilities.
• Ensures compliance with all food safety and quality programs, including BRCGS, GMP, HACCP, internal customer requirements, and all other prerequisite programs.
• Maintains the FSQA Program and Manual. Reviews and updates FSQA documents and production records. Creates, revises, and manages HACCP Plans, SOP, SSOP, and other policies. Ensures timely and accurate completion of routine FSQA records.
• Conducts manufacturing facility audits, as directed by Senior Management to ensure compliance. Serves as lead during inspections by regulatory and governmental agencies relating to food safety.
• Prepares and presents FSQA metrics and improvement initiatives to site and company leadership.
• Works directly with the warehouse team to ensure control of all kernel inventory as part of the QA Hold Program. Ensures proper execution of kernel disposition via material status change, pallet tagging, and timely communication. Resolves materials that are out of specification.
• Establishes and maintains quality standards and action levels for macadamias by monitoring key quality attributes across all processing stages, including moisture, defects, and organoleptic characteristics.
• Ensures effective sampling, testing, and inspection programs in are in place and executed consistently.
• Reviews trends in quality data and initiates actions to address variability or quality loss. Translates quality and food safety data into actionable insights for leadership and operations teams.
• Partners with operations, engineering, and orchard teams to investigate and resolve root causes of yield loss or quality defects.
• Leads and coordinates FSQA-related activities associated with new equipment and process implementation.
• Collaborates with management to improve employee safety culture with an annual goal of zero incidents.
• Assures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Leadership, Coaching, and Development:

• This role is part of the Plant and Orchard Leadership Team and works collaboratively with the team to achieve company and site objectives.
• This role leads from the front and at times may require hands-on work to put in place the right programs and training to achieve FSQA and overall site objectives.
• Directs the activities of the FSQA Department in the effective and efficient execution of their functional responsibilities and accountabilities. Ensures all prerequisite programs are implemented, monitored, documented, and verified. Leads plant regulatory compliance efforts and requirements.
• Assists the product and process continuous improvement team.
• Fosters a strong food safety and quality culture across the facility through communication and engagement.
• Assists in developing training programs that support the Company’s objectives related to quality, food safety, legality, food defense, and sanitation.
• Oversees performance and development, hiring, leading, and motivating FSQA staff.
• Assists to resolve employee relation issues by maintaining positive employee communications and relationships in union and non-union climates within the FSQA Department.

Individual Contribution:

• Oversees audit responses and feedback for third party and regulatory audits.
• Responsible for the timely resolution of product non-conformance.
• Guides the root cause analyses process.
• Performs all duties and maintains standards in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Behavioral conduct, both on-site and off, reflects Company values.
• Ability to operate independently and think quickly using a strong business sense.
• Must possess a variety of analytical and technical skills with a high degree of tolerance for uncertainty for frequently changing conditions.
• Regular attendance is required for the position.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May travel to off-site warehouses, distribution centers, suppliers, etc. (as necessary).
• Performs all duties and maintains all standards in accordance with Company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Agriculture, Food Engineering, Biology, Microbiology, or Chemistry; or equivalent experience in Food Safety & Quality Assurance.
• Minimum of 5 years successful performance in food manufacturing Quality Assurance experience.
• Minimum of 2 years general management experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment or agricultural environment.
• Experience with agricultural processing operations preferred.
• Knowledge of food plant sanitation and laboratory techniques (physical, microbiological, and chemical testing).
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Ability to perform college level mathematical and statistical calculations.
• Ability to summarize, interpret test data, and make recommendations.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills. Able to conduct clear, concise, and convincing business presentations.
• Proficient in computer systems and applications.
• Valid driver’s license and use of a vehicle.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (i.e., night/day shift) and weekends, periodically, based on business needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• The position requires carrying less than 30 pounds; bending; stooping; crouching; side bending; overhead reaching; handling; stair climbing; forward reaching; grasping; sitting; standing; walking, finger dexterity; vision; hearing; eye-hand-foot coordination.

COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:

• The position requires talking to employees, supervisors and managers and outside trade persons/vendors; written communication to employees, supervisors, managers, and outside persons/vendors; responding to written or verbal requests; reading; composing written language; receiving verbal and written instructions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Work day duties are performed in a plant processing, orchard, outside husking operations, and a typical office environment where the noise level is usually light.
2. When this position goes to the QA Lab in the factory daily and does frequent inspections through the plant where there is exposure to high noise levels (85+ dB). Use of PPE is required in these areas.
3. This position may be exposed weather conditions while traveling or when visiting the Husking and Power Plant facilities.

Hawaiian Host Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.