Overview
Contract Manufacturing Quality Manager Jobs in United States at Patco Brands
Title: Contract Manufacturing Quality Manager
Company: Patco Brands
Location: United States
Patco Brands is one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the United States. Independently owned, Patco has established itself by using a proprietary process with 100% Blue Weber Agave to innovate within the fast-growing ready-to-drink spirits category.
Patco is a maker of margaritas, tequila, hard seltzers, and other beverages under our own brands and for private labels. Our own brands and private labels, with nationwide distribution, include:
- Rancho La Gloria Ready to Drink Margaritas
- Big Sipz
- Kirkland Signature Tequila
- Kirkland Signature Hard Seltzers
- Kirkland Signature Vodka Soda
Patco products are sold in every major retailer, including Costco, H.E.B., Kroger’s, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market, just to name a few.
—————————————————————————————————-
Summary:
The Contract Manufacturing Quality Manager will provide key quality oversight and support across Patco Brands’ contract manufacturing network. This role requires deep expertise in outsourced manufacturing quality systems, with a strong emphasis on establishing and upholding high standards and expectations. The selected candidate will ensure that all products manufactured by contract partners meet stringent internal and external (e.g., club retail, Walmart, Target) quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
Main Duties Include:
- Lead Beverage Quality Programs:
- Drive the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of beverage-specific quality assurance protocols across all co-manufacturers producing canned products. Emphasize parameters critical to canning/bottling—such as seam integrity, fill levels, carbonation consistency, and shelf-life stability.
- Patco Compliance – Canned/Bottled Beverages:
- Ensure all canned and bottled beverage products and processes meet Patco Brands' stringent quality, regulatory, labeling, and testing standards. Support and lead quality-related components of audits and manage timely, thorough responses to QIPs (Quality Incident Processes), particularly where can and bottle integrity or product safety is involved.
- Canning/Bottling – Specific Supplier Audits & Qualification:
- Conduct risk-based audits with a strong focus on canning/bottling line controls, sanitation practices, and process validation. Approve and maintain a vetted list of co-manufacturers based on performance, quality metrics, and adherence to beverage canning/bottling standards.
- Product Release & Canning/Bottling Specifications:
- Review and approve batch records, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and technical specifications, ensuring all canned beverages meet internal standards and Club store-specific criteria prior to release. Increased attention to attributes such as pH, Brix, dissolved oxygen, and pressure testing.
- Quality Issue Resolution – Canned Formats:
- Lead investigations of any quality deviations or consumer complaints specific to canned or bottled beverages (e.g., leaking cans, off-flavors, visual defects). Conduct root cause analyses and drive effective CAPAs to prevent recurrence.
- Beverage Documentation & Traceability:
- Maintain complete, accurate records for canned/bottled beverage production including seam checks, microbiological testing, and traceability documentation. Generate detailed quality reports for internal teams.
- Cross-Functional Canning/Bottling Collaboration:
- Collaborate closely with Regulatory, R&D, Operations, and Sales to ensure canned beverage specifications, labeling (including recyclability and shelf-life claims), and packaging formats are fully aligned and compliant for distribution.
- Canning/Bottling Quality Continuous Improvement:
- Identify and implement quality improvement initiatives tailored to canned/bottled beverages—such as reducing spoilage, improving line efficiency, and minimizing consumer complaints related to packaging or product consistency.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field OR equivalent experience required.
· 5–8+ years of quality assurance experience in CPG, Food, Beverage canning/bottling
· Experience in Beverage canning/bottling.
· 5 + years of experience in QA Management, Food Safety, or a related field.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Position requires excellent follow-up and a proactive skill set.
- 75% travel required.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Certifications in Food Safety Auditing, HACCP, SQF Practitioner, PCQI, Food Safety and Quality Systems, and Better Process Control School are desired.
· Thorough knowledge of Food Safety and Quality Systems, quality auditing procedures, FDA and TTB Food Safety and Quality Regulations.
· Prior experience managing quality through Contract Manufacturing is strongly preferred.
· Ability to lead, communicate, and enforce Patco Brands’ quality policies and procedures with contract manufacturers.
· Strong influencing and interpersonal skills with a team mindset.
· Strong analytical skills to process information, solve problems, and determine corrective actions with attention to detail.
· Knowledge of quality standards and regulatory requirements, with skills and abilities to communicate internally and externally and execute against requirements.
· Ability to effectively communicate with and manage key teams and management.
General computer literacy required, with proficiency in Microsoft and NetSuite or other ERP such as SAP.
Salary Range $110,000-$130,000 per year.
By applying for this position, we are collecting personal information from you. Please read our privacy notice in the link below for information on how we collect and process your personal information
