Director of Quality Assurance Full Time NEW

Patco Brands is one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the United States. Independently owned, Patco has established itself by using 100% Blue Weber Agave and a proprietary process to innovate within the fast-growing ready-to-drink spirits category.

Patco is a maker of margaritas, tequila, hard seltzers, Irish cream liqueur, and other spirits 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 

· Rancho La Gloria Ranch Water 

· Big Sipz

· Kirkland Signature Tequila 

· Kirkland Signature Hard Seltzers

· Dough Ball Whiskey

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.

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Summary:

The Director of Quality Assurance is responsible for the strategic leadership and overall effectiveness of the Quality Control function across our alcohol and non-alc beverage contract manufacturing network. This leader will directly oversee Patco Brands’ Contract Manufacturing Quality Managers and partner closely with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs, ensuring products are safe, compliant, and consistently meet internal specifications, customer expectations, and all applicable regulatory requirements. The role drives a culture of respect for people, quality, data‑driven decision‑making, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. This leader will be responsible for building, scaling, and maintaining a best-in-class quality control program across a geographically diverse and expanding manufacturing footprint. This role reports to the Vice President of Quality.

Responsibilities: 

Quality Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute the global quality control strategy aligned with Patco Brands’ business objectives.
• Allocate QC resources across sites based on risk, volume, product complexity, and launch activity.
• Act as the quality product owner, ensuring alignment between brand standards and manufacturing execution.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Managers and regional quality personnel.
• Foster a culture of respect, continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

Contract Manufacturer Oversight

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with domestic and international contract manufacturers.
• Ensure all partners comply with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Conduct regular on-site audits, performance reviews, and business reviews.
• Provide data and documentation as needed to support retailer audits related to contract manufacturing.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) across the network.

Data, Metrics, and Reporting

• Define and track QC performance metrics across the contract manufacturing network (e.g., out‑of‑spec rate, holds, quality incidents, complaint rates by site, rework/scrap attributable to QC failures).
• Provide regular QC performance reports and risk assessments for each co‑packer to senior leadership and the QA function.
• Support QA’s Management Review and supplier performance processes with QC data and analysis.

Product Lifecycle Quality

• Partner with R&D and commercialization teams to ensure quality is embedded from product development through launch.
• Establish quality standards, specifications, and testing protocols.
• Monitor product performance and customer feedback to drive improvements.

Risk Management & Issue Resolution

• Proactively identify quality risks across the supply chain and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents, ensuring timely resolution and communication.
• Escalate critical issues to executive leadership with clear action plans.

Travel & Field Engagement

• Travel extensively (~75%) to manufacturing sites across North America and internationally.
• Provide hands-on leadership and support at partner facilities.
• Build strong in-person relationships to drive accountability and performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field required.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in Quality Control within food or beverage manufacturing, including oversight at the plant level and over contract manufacturers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail and the ability to drive multiple projects to completion and translate data into actions.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.
•  In-depth knowledge of food safety requirements and practices, including GFSI certification schemes.
• Proven ability to lead managers and technical staff remotely and influence external manufacturing partners without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of beverage QC methods (chemical, microbiological, sensory, and packaging tests) and associated equipment. Experience with alcohol, aseptic packed and canned beverages preferred.

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Salary range $140,000-$180,000