Assistant Food Safety Quality Manager - Watertown

About the Role

As the Assistant Food Safety/Quality Coordinator, your passion for continuous improvement will support Johnsonville in its drive to create a best-in-world quality culture through leadership and member interaction. This role is ideal for a self-motivated individual who thrives in a team environment and is committed to continuous growth. Day-to-day activities focus on elevating food safety, quality, and animal welfare to best-in-class levels.

Responsibilities

• Educate members on animal handling, food safety, and quality applications and systems using technical expertise.
• Serve as a resource for plant operations and represent food safety, quality, and animal welfare on cross-functional project teams.
• Develop and maintain facility food safety plans, quality plans, and standard operating procedures, including Redzone Compliance.
• Lead or co-lead third-party audits (SQF and customer) and maintain required programs.
• Act as a liaison for plant operations on food safety and quality policies with internal/external customers and third-party vendors.
• Coordinate with third-party sanitation companies and monitor metrics.
• Represent the plant to the USDA and other regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with GMP, USDA, and other standards.
• Assist in troubleshooting day-to-day food safety and quality issues, helping teams develop proactive solutions.
• Inspect, audit, and collaborate with continuous improvement teams to implement best practices and enhanced standard work processes.
• Evaluate data and Redzone documentation to identify trends in food safety and quality processes.
• Back up the Food Safety and Quality Coordinator in their absence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Microbiology, or related field preferred; equivalent work experience with appropriate certifications considered.
• HACCP Certification preferred.
• GFSI certification (SQF Practitioner or BRC) preferred.

Experience

• Strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP systems required.
• 2-4 years of experience in a quality leadership position preferred.
• Experience in livestock animal handling and welfare preferred.
• Experience in food manufacturing required; meat processing/harvest preferred.
• Experience working under regulatory systems (USDA, Animal Handling and Welfare) preferred.

Skills

• Ability to lead by example and engage others in decision-making.
• Commitment to continuous personal growth and development.
• Intermediate understanding of food safety and animal welfare practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic understanding of statistical quality tools and continuous improvement processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt priorities.
• Detail-oriented, responsible, and self-motivated.
• Strong team player with problem-solving skills and a results-driven mindset.
• Ability to influence decision-making with senior leaders and production members.
• Quick learner and adaptable.
• Experience with SAP and Redzone preferred.

Schedule

Ability to work second shift (2:30 - 11:00 pm) and flex to different shifts as needed.

Benefits

• Potential for monthly bonus and 401k with company match.
• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Disability and life insurance.
• Fertility and adoption assistance.
• Competitive paid time off, including paid parental leave.

About Our Company

Since 1945, Johnsonville has been a family-owned company dedicated to crafting crave-able sausage. With over 4,000 Members, we sell our products in all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries. Our culture, known as The Johnsonville Way, prioritizes Member development, believing that great business results follow naturally. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion.