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: Robust 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.

📌 Quality Assurance Head (Hyderabad)
🏢 Shivtara Grain Milling
📍 Hyderabad