Sr Manager - Technical Quality

Accountabilities:

• Build and implement a preventative quality system covering process controls, ingredient acceptance criteria, pre-production validation, FMEA, HACCP-aligned risk frameworks, and readiness protocols for new products and BOM changes.
• Partner with R&D to translate product formulations into practical, manufacturing-ready specifications, tolerances, and process requirements.
• Serve as the primary technical quality liaison for co-manufacturing partners, leading technical due diligence, onboarding, capability assessments, and ongoing process improvement.
• Evaluate manufacturing equipment, infrastructure, and quality systems, identify capability gaps, and drive sustainable CAPA and engineering improvements.
• Benchmark co-manufacturer performance, identify systemic risks, and establish clear expectations for process and quality performance.
• Analyze and optimize blending, conveying, filling, and packaging processes for powders, with particular attention to blend uniformity and sensory consistency.
• Investigate process deviations using structured root-cause methodologies such as 5-Why, Fishbone, DOE, and Barrier Analysis, implementing corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Establish SPC, control charts, capability studies, and enforceable process windows for critical manufacturing parameters.
• Oversee line trials, first production runs, and process validations at co-manufacturing facilities.
• Evaluate powder characteristics including particle size distribution, density, flowability, and solubility, translating findings into improvements in mixing strategies and equipment selection.
• Support the development of an internal laboratory and sensory program, including equipment requirements, testing protocols, SOPs, stability testing, sensory calibration, reference standards, and product specifications.
• Lead manufacturability assessments for new formulas, packaging formats, and BOM changes, ensuring products are production-ready before scale-up.
• Develop scalable production instructions and process controls, attend manufacturing trials, collect production data, and formally assess manufacturing readiness.
• Partner with Supply Chain on lot traceability, alternate sourcing risks, recall readiness, and co-man capacity assessments, while supporting Operations with manufacturing efficiency and scrap/rework reduction initiatives.
• Help elevate the technical capabilities of the broader quality organization and contribute to a shift from reactive documentation toward proactive prevention.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, technical quality, or a related discipline within food, beverage, nutraceutical, or dry-powder processing environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing co-manufacturing relationships from a technical and process perspective, beyond traditional auditing responsibilities.
• Proven ability to build quality or process systems from the ground up in high-growth or resource-constrained environments.
• Advanced knowledge of statistical process control, design of experiments, FMEA, capability studies, and process validation.
• Strong mechanical and process intuition, with the ability to diagnose and explain manufacturing behavior across equipment such as blenders, augers, filling systems, and related production machinery.
• Experience with process optimization, variation reduction, root-cause analysis, and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
• Comfortable working directly on production floors and participating in trials, validations, and technical assessments at manufacturing sites.
• Strong ability to influence and challenge external manufacturing partners while maintaining productive, long-term relationships.
• Systems-oriented thinker who understands how upstream variability can create downstream quality and manufacturing issues.
• Highly autonomous, resourceful, and proactive, with the ability to define approaches and priorities without relying on a predefined playbook.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills across R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, QA, and external partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30% to co-manufacturing sites.
• Experience in a high-growth consumer brand operating through a co-manufacturing model is preferred.
• Exposure to sensory calibration, stability testing, or internal laboratory development is a plus.
• ASQ CQE certification or an equivalent qualification is preferred.

Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement within the United States.
• Opportunity to work in a global, remote-first environment.
• Significant autonomy and ownership over technical quality and manufacturing improvement initiatives.
• Opportunity to build preventative quality systems and scalable manufacturing processes from the ground up.
• Cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, QA, and external manufacturing partners.
• Opportunity to influence product quality, manufacturing reliability, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Exposure to new product development, process engineering, laboratory development, sensory programs, and co-manufacturer network expansion.
• Mission-driven environment focused on developing better-for-you products and supporting whole-body wellness.
• Growth opportunities within a rapidly evolving organization and expanding technical function.