Assistant Food Safety & QA Manager

Overview

Smithfield is a company sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. The organization values gratitude, communication, respect and accountability, and emphasizes learning, collaboration, and innovation. This description outlines the responsibilities and qualifications for a role in Food Safety and Quality Assurance.

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The Assistant Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager role focuses on ensuring products meet safety and quality standards, overseeing sanitation checks, ensuring compliance with HACCP and USDA regulations, and using technical expertise to track product flow and implement preventive and corrective actions.

The role supports delivering safe, high‑quality products to customers daily. You will work with plant and corporate FS/QA leaders to implement food safety procedures and maintain USDA and FDA compliance.

• Quality & Food Safety Compliance: Ensure all food safety, quality, and regulatory programs are followed and documented; verify USDA compliance, lead investigations into product issues, implement corrective actions, and support audits and USDA system assessments.
• Continuous Improvement & Risk Prevention: Proactively work with FSQA and Operations teams to prevent HACCP, SSOP, and product/process failures through training, quality planning, and strong process controls to drive continuous improvement and ensure product consistency and safety.
• Process Control & Problem Solving: Assess raw materials, conduct production tests, collect and analyze data, troubleshoot issues with upstream processes, and collaborate with multiple departments to optimize yield, safety and quality.
• Sanitation Oversight & Micro Response: Manage the sanitation program, write regulatory documents, verify sanitation effectiveness through micro sampling, respond to negative shelf-life or micro data, lead GMP and sanitation audits, train staff, and coordinate with USDA to maintain high sanitation standards.
• SQF & Team Leadership: Maintain and reassess the SQF Quality Plan, ensure compliance with relevant sections, communicate system updates, manage FSQA personnel performance and schedules, and support the ongoing integrity of the SQF system.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 3+ years of relevant experience in the food industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading by training, coaching, or mentoring staff or managing a process or project.
• Ability to read and write in English to complete required forms.
• Technical Knowledge and Regulatory Compliance: experience with microbiological testing of meat and poultry products; solid understanding of foodborne pathogens, microbiological and limited chemistry testing; knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and SSOP requirements, and familiarity with QMS systems, SAP, and various databases and inventory software.
• Communication and Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  strong written and verbal communication; ability to address inquiries from regulatory agencies, customers and internal stakeholders; decision-making, problem-solving, and timely 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.

• USDA/HACCP Certification
• SQF Certified Expert
• Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance principles, food science and meat processing, SPC and statistics
• Bilingual skills are a valuable asset for diverse, multicultural environments and enhanced team collaboration

• Office and plant setting; plant environment may include wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
• Moderate to loud noise levels in production areas.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision includes close and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequent standing, walking, handling, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and hearing.

Relocation Package Available Yes

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, disability, or any other protected status as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at .