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About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Manager of Food Safety and Quality Assurance to join our team and play an integral role in strengthening our food safety culture and protecting the integrity of the Open Farm brand. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust food safety and quality systems across Open Farm’s supply chain and co manufacturing network, ensuring all products consistently meet our premium quality standards, regulatory requirements, and certification commitments.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary FSQA contact for co-manufacturing partners, building strong relationships and driving continuous improvement
Conduct on-site facility visits and audits; evaluate compliance with Open Farm's quality expectations and applicable regulations
Review and approve co-manufacturer food safety plans, sanitation programs, and quality documentation
Maintain and enhance Open Farm's food safety programs, including HACCP plans, GMPs, allergen management, sanitation standards, and recall/traceability protocols
Lead readiness for and management of third-party audits (SQF, BRCGS, or equivalent) across co-manufacturing partners
Monitor and respond to food safety incidents, conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
Maintain current knowledge of FSMA regulations and ensure ongoing compliance across all applicable facilities and suppliers
Establish and enforce quality standards for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods in partnership with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers
Conduct supplier qualification audits, review COAs, and manage ongoing supplier performance scorecards
Review and approve product specifications, formulations, and changes in collaboration with R&D and Procurement
Manage incoming material inspection programs and finished goods release protocols
Support the management of consumer complaints, trending data, and escalations; identify systemic issues and drive resolution
Maintain documentation and records required for regulatory submissions and market authorizations
Partner with Co-Manufacturing, Procurement, R&D, and Customer Experience teams to embed quality thinking into product development and supply chain decisions
Develop and deliver FSQA training programs for internal teams and co-manufacturing partners
Build and track KPIs related to quality, food safety, and supplier performance; report regularly to senior leadership
Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defects, waste, and risk across the supply chain

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Nutrition, or a related field
5+ years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance, preferably in pet food, human food, or a regulated consumer goods environment
Direct experience managing co-manufacturing or contract manufacturing relationships
Hands-on experience with HACCP plan development, internal auditing, and third-party certification programs (SQF, BRCGS, or equivalent)
Strong working knowledge of FSMA (Preventive Controls for Animal Food), AAFCO guidelines, CFIA regulations, and FDA requirements as they apply to pet food
Familiarity with dry kibble, wet/canned, freeze-dried, and raw pet food manufacturing processes is a strong asset
Experience with ERP systems and quality management software
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to internal stakeholders and external partners
Collaborative and solutions-oriented with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
Comfortable with ambiguity and able to build structure in a scaling, entrepreneurial environment
Willingness to travel to co-manufacturer and supplier facilities as needed (estimated 10–20%)

Skills

Food Safety
Quality Assurance
HACCP
GMP
Allergen Management
Sanitation Standards
Recall/Traceability Protocols
FSMA
SQF
BRCGS
Root Cause Analysis
Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs)
Supplier Qualification
COAs
Product Specifications
Formulations
ERP Systems
Quality Management Software
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Collaboration
Problem-Solving

Location

Toronto

Work Type

Hybrid

Experience Level

5+ years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Nutrition, or a related field
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification
SQF Practitioner or Lead Auditor certification

Salary/Compensations

$90,000 - $110,000 annually

Benefits

Competitive compensation
Monthly pet feeding program
Comprehensive healthcare coverage
RRSP plans with company match
Discounted food, apparel, and insurance for pets
PTO
Company-wide wellness and personal days
Volunteer days

About the Company

At Open Farm we are transforming the way people feed their pets, with a focus on producing premium, healthy food and treats, all ethically sourced from farm-to-bowl.
Headquartered in Toronto and with team members across the US, Open Farm is one of the fastest growing CPG companies in North America.
We believe that the best foods are made with consciously sourced, top-quality ingredients from farmers and fisheries who believe in doing good for all animals and the environment.
Our Values: We Raise the Bar | We Open the Barn Doors | We Graze Lightly | We Are Customer Obsessed | We Are One Team | Win-Win Partnerships

Equal Opportunity

Open Farm values diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.
Applicants requiring a disability-related accommodation at any stage of Open Farm's recruitment process should contact hr@openfarmpet.com.
As required by legislation, Open Farm will consult with applications requesting such an accommodation to ensure that Open Farm's recruitment process takes into account their accessibility needs.