Quality Assurance Manager - Kitchen

The Quality/Food Safety Manager is responsible for providing leadership in all areas of food safety, quality/quality systems, and regulatory compliance. The Quality/Food Safety Manager is a key liaison for regulatory personnel including onsite USDA/FSIS inspectors. This position serves as a food safety resource for all plant personnel and reports directly to the Director of Food Safety & Quality.

• PTO, holiday pay and holiday of choice
• 401(k) match
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Maternity/paternity leave
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA) – health and dependent

• Oversee all quality and food safety programs, including implementation of food safety and continuous improvement initiatives, leading required verifications, staff training, and documentation
• Leading the implementation and maintenance of the SQF system
• Ensure compliance of food safety programs, including HACCP and Food Safety plans
• Provide facility food safety and quality leadership to the FS/QA department and develop the skill sets of QA salaried and hourly personnel
• Enhance QA and sanitation programs throughout the facility by communicating with management, operations, and sanitation teams regarding food safety programs and opportunities to make improvements
• Maintain and develop food safety/quality programs and strive for continuous improvement of product quality
• Direct interaction with regulatory inspectors (USDA, FDA, State)
• Lead or assist in leading all regulatory, customer, internal and 3rd party audits
• Provide and promote a safe work environment throughout the facility
• Maintain consistent communication and foster teamwork between all personnel, departments, and shifts including promoting a food safety culture
• Develop, review and revise SOP’s and testing standards as necessary
• Ensure company policies and procedures are fairly administered within the department
• Assist with pre-operational inspections, environmental and microbial sampling, various internal audits (GMP’s, Pest Control, Food Defense, Allergen control, Label Verification), complaint investigations and performs direct observations
• Oversee all onsite laboratory activities and quality testing and be the liaison for all outside laboratory testing
• Review, analyze, interpret, approve, and report laboratory results per SOP’s and applicable testing protocols
• Ability to accurately complete all required documentation
• Review all records including CCP’s for accuracy and completeness and signs off in a timely manner
• Has the authority to stop processing and packaging activities that are potentially causing a food safety concern
• Train all departments in Food Safety and Quality Policies and Procedures
• Other miscellaneous duties as requested by the Director of Food Safety & Quality or VP of Technical Services

• College Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or similar
• Prior leadership experience in a food manufacturing facility preferred
• Prefer QC laboratory experience with an understanding of analytical, microbiological, and environmental testing and method execution
• Knowledge of HACCP & HARPC and experience in implementation of Food Safety Plans
• Certification by recognized HACCP training provider
• PCQI certification
• Must have the ability to communicate persuasively and passionately about the need for food safety & quality
• Working knowledge of regulations and guidelines imposed upon meat & poultry operations by federal and state agencies and authorities (Title 9 & 21 CFR)
• Show initiative and ability to work well with and communicate effectively with all levels of company personnel and regulatory officials
• Demonstrated commitment to following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP’s) and other food safety rules
• Excellent organization and decision-making skills and the ability to manage multiple projects

• Minimum 5-7 years working in a food manufacturing environment preferred
• GFSI training (SQF, BRC, etc.) preferred
• Must have the ability to communicate in English orally and in writing; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

• Repetitive motions that include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting, remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods
• Visual perception to perform job including peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus