FSQA Assistant Manager - Cherry (Days)

Essential Functions

• Implement, verify, and validate Food Safety programs such as HACCP plans, SSOP compliance, ensuring adherence with audit standards such as BRC.
• Manage regulatory relationships with local USDA/FSIS.
• Ensure operations management team and hourly employees are compliant with food safety and quality procedures.
• Directly observe processes and train as needed for production, sanitation, maintenance, and quality assurance groups.
• Manage the implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and enforcement of FSIS/USDA regulations, as well as corporate programs (pest control, allergen, product quality).
• Place non-conforming product on FSQA hold if it does not meet Foster Farms standards, customer expectations, or legal requirements.
• Render decisions regarding product disposition, including release or disposal of product.
• Hire and lead procedural, regulatory, and food safety training for FSQA supervisors and hourly technicians.
• Promote a food safety culture with FSQA supervisors and hourly team members.
• Work with plant management staff to maintain a positive relationship with in-plant FSIS/USDA personnel.
• Communicate non-compliance resolution and Foster Farms responses to trending concerns to FSIS.
• Manage and improve FSQA data reporting systems, communicating trends and root-cause analysis to management for deficiency resolution and process improvement.
• Participate in projects (FSQA or operations) and activities to modify, retrofit, and improve performance from a food safety and/or quality perspective.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Statistical Process Control (SPC) programs.

Qualifications

• BS Degree preferred (preferably Food Science, Meat/Animal Science, or related science field).
• Minimum of 3-5 years Food Processing and Quality Management Experience.
• Required – former supervisory experience or demonstrated potential to develop salaried supervisory employees.
• Detail oriented with analytical aptitude; exposure to Statistical Process Control is beneficial.
• Able to make sound judgments and decisions regarding quality and wholesomeness of product.
• Strong leadership, managerial skills, and the ability to coach and develop employees.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Able to prioritize and adjust quickly to changing work environments with minimal supervision to meet changing plant needs.
• Previous experience with HACCP, SSOP programs, and/or FSIS food safety regulations is preferred.
• Proficient use of PC including Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Able to work flexible hours.
• Able to perform limited travel for business-related visits (other plants) or conferences.