Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Quality Assurance Lead jobs in North Carolina are in strong demand, with active hiring across life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors at levels from team lead through senior program manager. The Charlotte, Research Triangle, and Greensboro-Winston-Salem corridors generate the largest share of openings, anchored by employers such as Honeywell, Labcorp, and Lenovo. The most sought-after specialties are pharmaceutical and biotech quality systems, software and SaaS QA, and ISO-compliance leadership in precision manufacturing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Quality Assurance Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 175+ Quality Assurance Lead jobs
Salary: $70,000 - $75,000 /year
Other Forms of Compensation: Yearly Bonus Opportunity
Growth. Opportunity. Excellence.
Fresh & Ready Food Group is a member of Canteen. Canteen sets the national standard for excellence in automated retail, and EVERY segment of our business is thriving. We employ the best team in the industry and their dedication, collaboration and passion fuel our growth. YOU bring enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. TOGETHER we’ll continue transforming the micro-market, dining, coffee, and vending industry.
Come grow with us. We are Canteen.
This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com.
Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Specialist (Ready to Eat Foods) is responsible for supporting food safety and quality initiatives to ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, and customer requirements.
This position maintains HACCP and food safety programs, conducts audits, investigates quality issues, implements corrective and preventive actions, manages regulatory and quality documentation, and promotes a culture of food safety through employee training and continuous improvement efforts.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, customer, and company food safety and quality requirements.
- Assist in developing, updating, and maintaining food safety, sanitation, maintenance, and quality procedures and training programs.
- Review and verify quality documentation for raw materials, packaging components, and finished products to ensure compliance with specifications.
- Participate in customer complaint investigations and help document non-conformances, deviations, and out-of-specification results.
- Conduct root cause analyses and assist in implementing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) resulting from internal and third-party audits.
- Support environmental monitoring and sanitation programs to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
- Review QA and Production documentation, including Critical Control Points (CCPs), Control Points (CPs), preventive control programs, label verification records, sanitation records, environmental monitoring records, and maintenance documentation.
- Maintain and document food safety and quality records in accordance with established procedures.
- Review and verify product labels to ensure compliance with approved specifications, nutritional information, allergen declarations, and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain and update ingredient specifications, nutritional information, and allergen declarations.
- Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure supplier documentation, including specifications, third-party certifications, and Letters of Guarantee (LOGs), is current and accurately maintained.
- Participate in internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits and follow up on corrective actions.
- Provide food safety and quality training to employees as needed.
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and documentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to food safety and quality standards.
- Food manufacturing environment.
- Frequent interaction with Production, Sanitation, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.
- May require periodic participation in audits, inspections, and training activities.
- Bachelor degree in food science, Microbiology, Public Health, or a related field
- HACCP, PCQI certification required and Preventive Controls requirements.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience with audits, food safety documentation, and quality systems in a food manufacturing environment.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal and written) preferred.
- Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and SQF food safety regulations.
- Excellent documentation, communication, and team training skills.
Apply to Canteen today!
Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.
Medical- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Personal Leave
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Canteen.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID:1576956
Fresh & Ready Foods
Leticia Pinon
Salary: $70,000 - $75,000 /year
Other Forms of Compensation: Yearly Bonus Opportunity
Growth. Opportunity. Excellence.
Fresh & Ready Food Group is a member of Canteen. Canteen sets the national standard for excellence in automated retail, and EVERY segment of our business is thriving. We employ the best team in the industry and their dedication, collaboration and passion fuel our growth. YOU bring enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. TOGETHER we’ll continue transforming the micro-market, dining, coffee, and vending industry.
Come grow with us. We are Canteen.
This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com.
Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Specialist (Ready to Eat Foods) is responsible for supporting food safety and quality initiatives to ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, and customer requirements.
This position maintains HACCP and food safety programs, conducts audits, investigates quality issues, implements corrective and preventive actions, manages regulatory and quality documentation, and promotes a culture of food safety through employee training and continuous improvement efforts.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, customer, and company food safety and quality requirements.
- Assist in developing, updating, and maintaining food safety, sanitation, maintenance, and quality procedures and training programs.
- Review and verify quality documentation for raw materials, packaging components, and finished products to ensure compliance with specifications.
- Participate in customer complaint investigations and help document non-conformances, deviations, and out-of-specification results.
- Conduct root cause analyses and assist in implementing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) resulting from internal and third-party audits.
- Support environmental monitoring and sanitation programs to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
- Review QA and Production documentation, including Critical Control Points (CCPs), Control Points (CPs), preventive control programs, label verification records, sanitation records, environmental monitoring records, and maintenance documentation.
- Maintain and document food safety and quality records in accordance with established procedures.
- Review and verify product labels to ensure compliance with approved specifications, nutritional information, allergen declarations, and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain and update ingredient specifications, nutritional information, and allergen declarations.
- Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure supplier documentation, including specifications, third-party certifications, and Letters of Guarantee (LOGs), is current and accurately maintained.
- Participate in internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits and follow up on corrective actions.
- Provide food safety and quality training to employees as needed.
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and documentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to food safety and quality standards.
- Food manufacturing environment.
- Frequent interaction with Production, Sanitation, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.
- May require periodic participation in audits, inspections, and training activities.
- Bachelor degree in food science, Microbiology, Public Health, or a related field
- HACCP, PCQI certification required and Preventive Controls requirements.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience with audits, food safety documentation, and quality systems in a food manufacturing environment.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal and written) preferred.
- Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and SQF food safety regulations.
- Excellent documentation, communication, and team training skills.
Apply to Canteen today!
Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.
Medical- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Personal Leave
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Canteen.pdf
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.
Req ID:1576956
Fresh & Ready Foods
Leticia Pinon
See All 175+ Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Quality Assurance Lead JobsQuality Assurance Lead Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quality Assurance Lead Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Food Lion43
- Butterball6
- MENTOR TECHNICAL4
- Novartis3
- FuntoRecruit3F
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Medical Devices
- Science & Research
- Accounting & Auditing
- Chemicals & Materials
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quality assurance lead jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in a technical, scientific, or engineering field recognized in North Carolina
- Three or more years of QA experience with at least one year in a lead or supervisory role
- Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001, FDA 21 CFR, or GMP quality management standards
- Experience leading audits, writing SOPs, and managing CAPA processes end to end
- Proficiency with quality management software such as Veeva, MasterControl, or Jira
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration
Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quality assurance lead in North Carolina?
Most quality assurance lead roles in North Carolina require a bachelor's degree in a related field plus several years of hands-on QA experience before moving into a lead position. North Carolina does not issue a state license specific to quality assurance leads, but employers in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors centered around Research Triangle Park strongly favor candidates with certifications such as ASQ's Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Quality Auditor. Building experience in regulated industries and completing an ASQ certification gives candidates a clear competitive advantage.
How much do quality assurance leads make in North Carolina?
Quality assurance leads in North Carolina earn a median of about $100,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $61,190 for the lowest 10% to over $148,710 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire quality assurance leads in North Carolina?
Employers hiring quality assurance leads in North Carolina right now include Food Lion, Butterball, and MENTOR TECHNICAL, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. North Carolina's concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device firms, and technology companies around the Research Triangle and Charlotte metro creates consistent demand across multiple industries.
Which North Carolina cities have the most quality assurance lead jobs?
Charlotte, Durham, and Raleigh have the most quality assurance lead openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle area, anchored by Raleigh and Durham, drives the largest share because of its dense cluster of life sciences and technology employers, while Charlotte's financial services and manufacturing base supports steady demand, and Greensboro and Winston-Salem add volume through advanced manufacturing and logistics operations in the Piedmont Triad.
Are there remote quality assurance lead jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many fields, particularly for QA leads working in software, SaaS, or digital product environments where on-site presence is not required. About 31% of quality assurance lead openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the role's mix of desk-based analysis and in-person audit or lab work. Fully remote positions are most common in tech-sector QA, while pharmaceutical and manufacturing roles typically require at least partial on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a quality assurance lead in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving up from a quality assurance analyst, quality inspector, or quality technician role at one of North Carolina's large manufacturing or life sciences employers, many of which promote from within once a candidate demonstrates process knowledge and reliability. Research Triangle Park companies and contract manufacturing organizations in the Piedmont Triad regularly hire junior QA staff who grow into lead roles. Earning an entry-level ASQ certification and gaining exposure to auditing or CAPA documentation early strengthens a candidate's case considerably.
Where can I find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current North Carolina openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employers posting them. No signup is required to search and apply.
See All 175+ Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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