Quality Assurance Engineer IV

Industry: Plastics Manufacturing / Food-Contact Packaging

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Engineer IV to lead and strengthen quality and food-safety systems within a blown film extrusion manufacturing environment. This position will be responsible for maintaining compliance with SQF, HACCP, GMP, and FDA food-contact requirements while providing hands-on technical support to manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate combines strong quality systems knowledge with practical experience in plastics extrusion/blown film manufacturing, root cause analysis, process improvement, audits, and corrective/preventive actions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the facility's SQF Quality Management System, including Manufacture of Packaging requirements.

• Develop and maintain HACCP and hazard-analysis programs for extrusion and blown film manufacturing processes.

• Conduct GMP audits across production lines, personnel, and facility operations.

• Lead root cause investigations and CAPA activities related to gauge variation, haze, seal integrity, contamination, gels, and other film defects.

• Ensure compliance with applicable FDA 21 CFR food-contact regulations and customer requirements.

• Support internal, supplier, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits.

• Analyze SPC and manufacturing data, including film gauge/thickness, tensile strength, seal strength, and other quality trends.

• Investigate manufacturing issues and work directly with production and engineering teams to implement corrective actions.

• Develop, revise, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, quality documentation, and controlled records.

• Provide quality and food-safety training to manufacturing employees.

• Monitor quality performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Support Lean/Six Sigma initiatives and other process-improvement projects.

• Serve as a technical quality resource for extrusion operations and customer quality concerns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics/Polymer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field.

• Minimum 2+ years of quality engineering experience in plastics extrusion or blown film manufacturing.

• Working knowledge of:

  • SQF

  • HACCP

  • GMP

  • FDA 21 CFR food-contact regulations

  • Quality Management Systems (QMS)

  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)

• Strong understanding of the blown film extrusion process, including resin blending, bubble formation, winding, and downstream film handling.

• Experience identifying and troubleshooting common film defects and process variations.

• Experience conducting root cause analysis and CAPA investigations.

• Strong documentation, SOP development, and audit preparation skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with production, engineering, maintenance, and leadership teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with food-contact plastic film or flexible packaging.

• SQF practitioner or auditing experience.

• HACCP certification or formal HACCP training.

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.

• Experience participating in customer, supplier, or regulatory audits.

• Advanced knowledge of extrusion process controls, polymer/resin characteristics, and film-testing methods.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on quality professional who is equally comfortable analyzing SPC data, investigating a film defect on the production floor, developing an SOP, and serving as the quality expert during an audit. This individual should be highly analytical, detail-oriented, and passionate about maintaining strong quality and food-safety standards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You should be proficient in:

• Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA)
• FDA Regulations
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certification