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Quality System Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Responsible for overseeing the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001 Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • ...

Quality Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$67K - $87K/yr

Conduct product audits, process audits, layered process audits, and quality system reviews to ... Familiarity with warranty analysis, supplier quality management, and continuous improvement ...

Quality Technician - NIGHTS

Iowa City, IA

$15.75 - $21/hr

To assist the Quality Assurance Manager in all Quality Assurance activities in Production and in ... Quality System Support * Assists in audit preparation * Conducts internal audits as required

Quality Engineer

Mount Pleasant, IA · On-site

$64K - $83K/yr

Conduct internal audits and support compliance with production, quality, technical, and customer-service standards while identifying gaps in management system implementation. * Ensure the correct use ...

Showing results 21-40

Quality System Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$50.7K

$92.6K

$144.6K

How much do quality system manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for quality system manager in Iowa is $92,624.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,900.00 and $115,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a quality system manager do?

A Quality System Manager oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of an organization's quality management systems. They ensure that all processes and products meet established quality standards and comply with relevant regulations. Their responsibilities include auditing processes, managing documentation, training staff on quality procedures, and driving continual improvement initiatives. By monitoring performance and addressing non-conformities, they help organizations deliver consistent, high-quality products or services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a quality system manager?

To thrive as a Quality System Manager, you need a solid background in quality management principles, regulatory compliance, and process improvement, typically with a degree in engineering, life sciences, or a related field. Familiarity with ISO standards (e.g., ISO 9001), quality management software, and relevant certifications like Six Sigma or ASQ certifications is important. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help drive cross-functional initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. These skills ensure effective implementation of quality systems, compliance with industry standards, and sustained operational excellence.

What are some common challenges faced by a quality system manager when implementing new quality standards across an organization?

Quality System Managers often encounter challenges such as resistance to change from staff, aligning new standards with existing processes, and ensuring consistent understanding across departments. Building strong communication channels and providing thorough training are essential to facilitate adoption. Additionally, maintaining regulatory compliance while tailoring the system to the organization's unique needs requires careful planning and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What is the difference between Quality System Manager vs Quality Assurance Manager?

AspectQuality System ManagerQuality Assurance Manager
CertificationsISO 9001 Lead Auditor, CQEASQ CQE, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
Work EnvironmentOversees quality management systems across departmentsFocuses on product quality and testing processes
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, aerospace, automotivePrevalent in manufacturing, healthcare, software
Primary FocusMaintaining and improving quality management systemsEnsuring product quality through testing and inspection

The Quality System Manager primarily manages the overall quality management system, ensuring compliance with standards like ISO 9001. The Quality Assurance Manager concentrates on product quality, testing, and inspection processes. Both roles require similar certifications and are vital in manufacturing and related industries, but their focus areas differ—system oversight versus product quality assurance.

Infographic showing various Quality System Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,624 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Quality and Food Safety Manager - Shared

APC Worldwide

Ankeny, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

The Lauridsen Group, Inc. (LGI), is a collection of six independent companies with each dedicated to discovering and producing products to enhance health and nutrition. These companies have the ability and charge to be entrepreneurial, to seek out new markets, to develop new products and applications, and to discover new ways to add value through fractionation and novel applications. LGI is headquartered in Ankeny, IA and maintains fifty manufacturing and sales locations in twenty countries and sales in more than sixty countries.
Based out of our corporate office in Ankeny, IA, this shared service role supports corporate quality and food safety programs across LGI's North American manufacturing locations. This role partners with plant quality, manufacturing, sales, customer service, regulatory, and corporate teams to strengthen quality systems, ensure compliance with food safety requirements, lead audit and CAPA processes, and promote continuous improvement and food safety culture across supported sites.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

  • 7+ years of experience auditing quality and food safety programs within the food or feed industry.

  • 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience in manufacturing quality and food safety environments preferred.

  • Working knowledge of microbiology.

  • Experience supporting animal food, pet food, and/or human food manufacturing operations preferred.

Preferred

  • SQF Practitioner certification.

  • Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification for human and/or animal food.

  • HACCP certification and training experience.

  • Internal Auditing certification.

  • ISO 9001 training or certification.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Corporate Quality & Food Safety Program Leadership

  • Guide implementation and compliance with corporate quality and food safety requirements, including SOPs, SSOPs, formulas, FSMA requirements, recall procedures, HACCP programs, and Food Safety Plans.

  • Support consistent application of quality and food safety expectations across North American manufacturing locations.

  • Monitor industry, customer, and regulatory developments and recommend enhancements to quality and food safety programs.

  • Provide technical guidance related to food safety, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.

2. Audits, Certifications & Compliance Readiness

  • Collaborate with manufacturing teams to implement quality and food safety requirements for third-party certification programs, including SQF, Safe Feed/Safe Food, and similar standards.

  • Perform corporate internal audits of manufacturing facilities and partner with sites to address and close audit findings.

  • Serve as a corporate representative during customer and regulatory audits.

  • Support audit readiness efforts and ensure timely follow-up on corrective action requests.

3. CAPA, Corrective Action & Continuous Improvement

  • Oversee the Corporate Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) program.

  • Support resolution of audit findings, customer complaints, and nonconforming material issues.

  • Facilitate meetings focused on process improvement, quality system effectiveness, and food safety performance.

  • Partner with sites to identify opportunities that improve product quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

4. Site Partnership, Food Safety Culture & Subject Matter Expertise

  • Collaborate with manufacturing sites to strengthen food safety culture and quality performance.

  • Provide subject matter expertise to plant quality and manufacturing teams regarding food safety, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.

  • Influence, coach, and train employees on quality, food safety, and compliance expectations.

  • Build strong partnerships that support consistent execution of quality and food safety standards across locations.

5. Cross-Functional Support & Business Partnership

  • Partner with customers, suppliers, sales, customer service, and internal stakeholders to resolve quality and food safety concerns.

  • Prepare and facilitate management review meetings for LGI businesses.

  • Manage and support projects that advance corporate quality and food safety objectives.

  • Provide support to the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs team as business needs require.

SCOPE & IMPACT

  • Supports quality assurance and quality control teams across LGI's North American manufacturing locations.

  • Provides corporate leadership and subject matter expertise in quality systems, food safety programs, audit readiness, and CAPA management.

  • Influences quality and food safety performance across manufacturing, quality, sales, customer service, regulatory, and corporate functions.

  • Supports customer, regulatory, and third-party certification audits.

  • Requires up to 45% travel.

Key Capabilities

  • Quality & Food Safety Expertise: Applies technical knowledge of food safety, quality systems, microbiology, chemistry, FSMA, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.

  • Audit & Compliance Management: Supports audit readiness and compliance across internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party certification programs.

  • Problem Solving & CAPA Management: Identifies root causes and drives effective corrective and preventive actions.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds productive relationships across manufacturing, quality, regulatory, commercial, and corporate teams.

  • Communication & Influence: Clearly communicates technical requirements and effectively trains and influences others.

  • Continuous Improvement: Drives enhancements to quality systems, food safety programs, and organizational performance.

  • Project & Organizational Effectiveness: Manages multiple priorities and projects while maintaining attention to quality and compliance.