Job Description

At Yerba Madre, we’re building more than beverages, we’re building a movement rooted in community, sustainability, and connection.The Food Safety & Quality Site Manager ensures Yerba Madre’s co‑manufacturing partners consistently meet all food safety, regulatory, and product quality requirements. This role provides on‑site oversight at partner facilities, monitors production quality, leads audits and investigations, and supports continuous improvement initiatives. PLEASE NOTE*** The position is based in Yerba Madre’s Los Angeles office, min 3 days a week when not doing the required regular travel to co‑packers across North America, including occasional off‑shift or weekend support. What You’ll Do To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. On-Site Oversight & Monitoring Serve as the primary on-site quality and food safety liaison for all co-manufacturing facilities. Conduct regular site visits to monitor production quality, verify process controls, and address emerging issues. Oversee product quality during production runs, including new launches, reformulations, and high-risk SKUs. Food Safety, Compliance & Audit Readiness Ensure execution of Yerba Madre’s Food Safety Plan, HACCP/HARPC programs, GMPs, sanitation standards, allergen controls, and preventive controls. Lead internal audits (GMP, sanitation, food safety) and support external certification audits (SQF, BRC, organic, kosher). Maintain documentation of audits, site visits, investigations, test results, and quality records to ensure full compliance with FSMA and other regulatory requirements. Support traceability exercises, mock recalls, and ongoing regulatory compliance activities. Quality Issue Management Investigate quality deviations, consumer complaints, and nonconformances; lead structured root-cause analysis and drive effective CAPA implementation. Track co-packer quality performance, identify trends, and support continuous improvement efforts. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with other Supply Chain teams, and R&D to resolve manufacturing quality issues and ensure alignment on product and process standards. Maintain a cooperative working environment through regular communication, meetings, and collaborative problem-solving. Other Duties Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the manager. How you’ll be sucessful in this role: Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following. Decision-Making Demonstrates strong, timely decision-making in fast-paced manufacturing environments; balances risk, compliance, and operational needs under pressure. Communication Communicates effectively across technical and non-technical audiences; engages confidently with co-manufacturers, cross-functional teams, and certification bodies. Builds strong, trust-based relationships with co-packers; partners effectively to resolve issues, drive improvement, and ensure alignment with Yerba Madre standards. Proactively identifies risks, opportunities, and process improvements; continually develops technical and regulatory expertise. Planning & Organization Manages time and priorities effectively across multiple facilities, audits, and documentation requirements in a complex, multi-site environment. Structured Problem Solving Applies structured methodologies (e.g., Fishbone, 5 Why, DMAIC) to diagnose issues, lead investigations, and implement sustainable corrective actions. minimum experience and qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field. 5+ years of experience in a quality or food safety role within a food manufacturing environment; organic or natural foods experience preferred. Experience conducting audits, leading investigations, performing root-cause analysis, and implementing CAPA. Familiarity with FDA regulations, HACCP, food safety management programs, and quality standards. Experience with Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma, or TQM is a plus. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, sanitation, allergen control, environmental monitoring, and FSMA requirements. Experience with root-cause analysis tools (5 Why, Fishbone, 8D, DMAIC). Understanding of beverage manufacturing processes and relevant quality control points. Ability to calculate ratios, proportions, percentages, volumes, and other relevant metrics; familiarity with SPC concepts. Language & Reasoning Skills Ability to read, interpret, and draft technical, regulatory, and business documents and reports. Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills; able to solve problems involving multiple variables in standardized situations. Computer Skills Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word). Familiarity with supplier-management databases and internet research. Experience with TraceGains and Smartsheet a plus. Certificates & Licenses Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification required. HACCP certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months). Internal auditor or GFSI scheme training preferred. travel & physical requirements: Role is based in Los Angeles with ~50% travel to co-manufacturing facilities. Work occurs in both office and production-floor environments. Office onsite: ~2–3 days/week Occasional evening, weekend, or off-shift support may be required during production runs. Must be able to manage multiple priorities, maintain focus under interruptions, and work both independently and collaboratively. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, kneel, and maintain balance. Must be able to navigate manufacturing settings, including stairs, catwalks, and varying temperatures. Ability to stand or walk for extended periods on production floors. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Use of PPE required depending on site conditions. What we offer: The pay range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors; actual pay offered may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Sales commissions and/or variable pay plans are also offered depending on the position (ex: monthly, quarterly, annual bonuses). Additionally, we offer a competitive benefits package including top-tier benefits, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, employee life and disability, mental health benefits, paid medical leave, paid company holidays, and paid time off, as well as opportunities for career growth and advancement within our team! Salary Range $80,000 - $105,000 USD Yerba Madre—formerly Guayakí Yerba Mate is the nearly 30-year pioneer of regenerative yerba mate [yer-bah ma-tay] and the category leader in ready-to-drink mate beverages across North America. The name Yerba Madre, meaning “Mother Herb,” is a tribute to Mother Earth and the ancestral wisdom of the Indigenous communities who have cultivated yerba mate for generations —a reflection of the values the brand has championed since day one. Headquartered in Sebastopol and Los Angeles, California, Yerba Madre sources organic, shade-grown yerba mate in direct partnership with 255 family farmers and Indigenous communities across Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Using its Market Driven Regeneration™ model, every purchase helps reforest the Atlantic Forest, support fair trade premiums, and build long-term economic resilience for grower communities. In 2025, the brand became the world’s first yerba mate to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified™ Gold® status—setting a new global standard for ecological integrity, cultural respect, and environmental restoration. As an original founding member of the B Corp community and a founding member of the Purpose Pledge, Yerba Madre is committed to ethical business practices across ten key pillars, including climate positivity, living wages, circularity, and inclusion. Yerba Madre is available in over 45,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit . Yerba Madre is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Yerba Madre? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf LinkedIn Profile Why are you interested in working for Yerba Madre? * How did you hear about this position? * Select... Do you currently hold a PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification? * Select... Have you received training in the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)? Select... How many years of experience do you have in food safety or quality assurance within the food industry? Briefly describe your experience with HACCP or food safety plans. * Do you have hands‑on quality or food safety experience inside a co‑manufacturer or co‑packer? * Select... Are you familiar with TraceGains or a similar supplier management/document control system? Are you able to travel up to 50% of the time? * Select... Are you local to the LA area per the job requirements? * Select... Are you authorized to work in the United States? * Select... Do you now, or will you in the future, require visa sponsorship to work in the US? * Select... If you provided a phone number, do you consent to receiving follow-up communication via text message (or SMS message) regarding your application status and to set up interviews?If yes, you can always opt-out by replying STOP. * Select... #J-18808-Ljbffr

Job Tags

Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Visa sponsorship, Shift work, Afternoon shift, 2 days per week, 3 days per week

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