Plant Food Safety & QA Manager

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Are you a results-driven Food Safety & Quality Assurance professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and knows how to spot risks before they become problems? At Smithfield Foods, you’ll take the lead in ensuring our products—like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous—meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

As Plant FSQA Manager, you’ll manage all food safety and quality programs at the facility. You’ll lead sanitation checks, enforce USDA and HAACP regulations, track products from start to finish, and implement corrective actions when needed. You’ll also oversee the plant’s quality systems, ensuring everything we produce 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.

Ready to lead with impact? Join Smithfield and help deliver quality that’s trusted nationwide.

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

• 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, required.
• Must have the ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.
• Technical Knowledge and Regulatory Compliance:
  Possesses hands‑on experience with microbiological testing of meat and poultry products, along with a solid understanding of foodborne pathogens, microbiological and limited chemistry testing.
• Demonstrates 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:
  
  Demonstrates 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…