Food Safety Microbiologist Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

ATL Search Group is partnering with a growing food manufacturing company to identify an experienced Quality Assurance Manager who is passionate about food safety, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and building a culture of quality.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced QA professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys leading teams, preparing for audits, improving quality systems, and ensuring products consistently meet the highest standards.

If you have extensive experience with FDA regulations, HACCP, HARPC, GFSI audits, and food manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As the Quality Assurance Manager, you will lead the company's Quality and Food Safety Management System while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and customer requirements.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead and maintain the company's Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, FSMA, OSHA, EPA, Department of Labor, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Manage and maintain HACCP, HARPC, PCQI, and Preventive Controls programs.
• Ensure Critical Control Points (CCPs) are properly monitored and documented.
• Oversee prerequisite programs and food safety documentation.
• Maintain document control systems and quality records.
• Serve as the primary contact during regulatory and third-party audits.

Audit & Certification Management

Lead and prepare the facility for certifications and inspections including:

• SQF
• BRC
• AIB
• GFSI
• FDA
• USDA (if applicable)
• OU Kosher
• State regulatory agencies
• Environmental inspections

Develop corrective and preventive action plans following audit findings and ensure timely completion.

Quality Systems

• Verify products meet quality specifications before release.
• Review formulas, production records, specifications, and process controls.
• Investigate quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze customer complaints and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Generate quality reports and trend analysis.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop the Quality team.
• Conduct food safety and quality training throughout the organization.
• Foster a culture focused on continuous improvement and accountability.
• Partner with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Operations, and R&D to achieve company goals.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, waste reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support new product launches and commercialization.
• Improve quality processes, efficiencies, and plant performance.

Environmental & Sanitation Compliance

• Oversee compliance with:
• • Wastewater Treatment Programs
  • Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
  • EPA requirements
• Manage third-party sanitation providers.
• Coordinate with sanitation chemical suppliers.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, Chemistry, or related field
• 7+ years of Quality Assurance experience within food manufacturing
• 5+ years of leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of:
• • FDA
  • FSMA
  • HACCP
  • HARPC
  • PCQI
  • OSHA
  • EPA
• Experience leading GFSI-certified facilities
• Extensive experience preparing for and leading third-party audits
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong Microsoft Office skills

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following industries:

• Bakery
• Cookies
• Snack Foods
• Frozen Foods
• Prepared Foods
• Food Ingredients
• Food Processing

Knowledge of:

• Baking science
• Mixing technologies
• Functional ingredients
• Product development
• Food packaging

Leadership Competencies

We're looking for someone who is:

• A collaborative leader
• Highly organized
• Detail-oriented
• Results-driven
• Customer-focused
• Self-motivated
• Excellent at prioritizing multiple projects
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• A strong communicator with exceptional leadership skills

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk throughout the manufacturing facility for extended periods
• Ability to work in hot and cold production environments
• Ability to climb ladders and access production equipment when necessary
• Ability to travel occasionally
• Comfortable working around food allergens including dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts
• Willingness to participate in product sensory evaluations (taste, smell, and visual inspections) as part of quality assurance processes

Why Join This Company?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing food manufacturer where you'll play a key leadership role in ensuring product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. You'll have the opportunity to influence plant-wide quality initiatives, lead audit readiness, develop high-performing teams, and drive continuous improvement across the organization.

Apply Today

If you're an experienced Quality Assurance Manager with a passion for food safety, regulatory excellence, and leading high-performing teams, ATL Search Group would love to speak with you.

ATL Search Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.