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