Food Safety & Quality Manager
About the role
We are seeing a Food Safety & Quality Manager for our Dixon, IL, site, a manufacturer of quality aseptic products. This role oversees implementation of Quality Assurance programs that uphold product quality, food safety, and sanitation in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This role manages QA and sanitation programs, develops quality and sanitation leaders, supports regulatory readiness, and partners cross-functionally to resolve issues and advance plant quality objectives.
Responsibilities
- Oversee, implement, and maintain QA programs, including Formula Control, Allergen Control, Non-Conforming Products, Recalls, Food Safety Plans, and pest control systems.
- Develop, implement, and manage sanitation programs for daily and periodic cleaning of the facility.
- Define and enforce laboratory practices and quality policies.
- Ensure compliance with company, state, and federal sanitation regulations.
- Collaborate with R&D to improve product quality and cost-effectiveness, support product changes, and oversee plant testing.
- Maintain and oversee food safety regulatory programs to meet FDA and USDA requirements.
- Support quality systems and initiatives such as SPC, SQF, and continuous improvement processes.
- Lead efforts to resolve quality-related issues, including customer complaints, product holds, and incidents.
- Conduct GMP and sanitation audits and summarize technical data to identify trends and corrective actions.
- Actively participate as a key member of the Plant Steering Team.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, or a related field is required.
- Minimum of 5+ years of supervisory experience in a food manufacturing environment is required.
- SQF Practitioner certification and Food Defense Program leadership experience are preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of sanitation practices, GMPs, FDA/USDA regulations, and third-party audits is required.
- Hands-on experience with GFSI certification, CFR expectations, pre-operational inspections, and SPC systems is required.
- Demonstrated problem-solving, leadership, and analytical skills are required.
- Experience creating, executing, and monitoring manufacturing technical standards and procedures is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5+ years of supervisory experience in a food manufacturing environment is required.
- Hands-on experience with GFSI certification, CFR expectations, pre-operational inspections, and SPC systems is required.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor quality and sanitation leaders is required.
- Knowledge of FDA/USDA regulations and third-party audits is essential.
- Experience with GMPs and food safety protocols is required.
- Ability to analyze and interpret microbiological results and initiate corrective actions is necessary.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills are required.
- Experience with Microsoft Office is required.
Skills
- Strong knowledge of sanitation practices, GMPs, FDA/USDA regulations, and third-party audits.
- Hands-on experience with GFSI certification, CFR expectations, pre-operational inspections, and SPC systems.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor quality and sanitation leaders.
- Knowledge of FDA/USDA regulations and third-party audits.
- Experience with GMPs and food safety protocols.
- Ability to analyze and interpret microbiological results and initiate corrective actions.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation and benefits program with no waiting period – you’re eligible from your first day!
- 401(k) program with 5% employer match and 100% vesting as soon as you enroll.
- Comprehensive paid time off opportunities, including immediate access to four weeks of vacation, five sick days, parental leave and 11 company holidays (including two floating holidays).
- Leaders who are invested in supporting your accelerated career growth, plus paid training, tuition reimbursement and a robust educational platform – DevelopU – with more than 10,000 free courses to support you along the way.
- An inclusive working environment where you can build meaningful work relationships with a diverse group of professionals.
- Access to our wellness and employee assistance programs.
Pay
The anticipated compensation for this position ranges from $97,500 to $146,300 USD annually. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics and business or organizational needs. For certain roles, the successful candidate may be eligible for annual discretionary merit compensation award, bonus and equity pay.
Schedule
This is a full-time, on-site role on first shift. Occasional flexibility is required to support alternate shifts.