Plant Food Safety & QA Manager

The position offers a relocation package.

About the role

As Plant FSQA Manager, you’ll manage all food safety and quality programs at the facility. You’ll lead sanitation checks, enforce USDA and HACCP regulations, track products from start to finish, and implement corrective actions when needed. You’ll also oversee the plant’s quality systems, ensuring everything produced is safe, consistent, and customer-ready. In this role, you’ll report to both plant and corporate FSQA leadership—driving continuous improvement, team performance, and regulatory excellence.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Regulatory Compliance & Verification: Oversee all food safety, quality, and regulatory programs to ensure USDA/FDA compliance, accurate documentation, and audit readiness. Lead root cause investigations, implement corrective actions, and maintain strong relationships with USDA inspectors.
• Drive Food Safety & Quality Improvement: Work closely with FSQA and Operations teams to prevent HACCP, SSOP, and product or process failures. Develop plans, strengthen process controls, and train staff to uphold high standards through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead Sanitation Programs: Design and manage the facility’s sanitation program—including audits, microbial testing, and performance tracking. Take prompt, data-driven action to ensure cleanliness and compliance when issues arise.
• Manage SQF Systems: Lead the development, maintenance, and reassessment of SQF Food Safety and Quality Plans. Ensure the system stays current, compliant, and well-communicated to all relevant team members.
• Supervise and Develop Your FSQA Team: Manage staffing, schedules, performance reviews, and training for FSQA personnel. Ensure all responsibilities are covered through cross-training and effective delegation in the absence of key team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years’ relevant experience in the food industry; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
• Ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.
• Technical Knowledge and Regulatory Compliance: Hands-on experience with microbiological testing of meat and poultry products, along with a solid understanding of foodborne pathogens, microbiological and limited chemistry testing. Comprehensive knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and SSOP requirements, and familiarity with QMS systems, SAP, and various database and inventory software tools.
• Communication and Analytical Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to address inquiries from regulatory agencies, customers, and internal stakeholders. Skilled in decision-making, problem-solving, and responding to quality and compliance issues in a timely and effective manner. Maintains a high standard of documentation and compliance.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with professionalism and adaptability.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and work extended hours or weekends as needed.

Skills

• USDA/HACCP Certification
• SQF Certified Expert
• Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance principles, food science and meat processing, SPC and statistics
• Bilingual skills (valuable asset for communication in diverse, multicultural environments)

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Office and plant setting with wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.