Food Safety Manager

Position Title: Food Safety Manager

Supported by: Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively.

As new needs arise, we are ready.

Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.

The Food Safety Manager ensures the integrity, safety, and quality of all food distributed across the organization. This role leads the execution of food safety programs, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance practices, driving consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Through oversight of inspections, audits, and corrective actions, this role protects the organization, strengthens operations, and ensures safe, high-quality food reaches all partners and neighbors.

• Quality Assurance & Food Safety Oversight
  • Lead all inbound and outbound product inspection processes, including produce quality checks, to ensure established standards are consistently met prior to distribution
  • Evaluate and disposition incoming product, approving or rejecting shipments based on defined food safety and quality criteria, with clear and accurate documentation
  • Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Preventive Controls, and internal food safety procedures across all operational areas
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate food safety and quality risks across warehousing, production, and transportation functions
  • Ensure sanitation programs, inspections, and required documentation are executed accurately, consistently, and on schedule
  • Maintain a safe and sanitary environment for staff and volunteers by enforcing compliance with USDA, AIB, GMP, and local health regulations
  • Oversee core food safety programs, including pest control, chemical management, and temperature monitoring, ensuring consistency and audit readiness
  • Manage the allergen control program, ensuring proper identification, segregation, labeling, and prevention of cross-contact
  • Oversee environmental monitoring and facility condition programs, ensuring cleanliness, structural integrity, and proactive risk mitigation
  • Ensure the Quality Assurance inspection program is executed as designed, with all daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly inspections completed, documented, and resolved
  • Monitor inspection results and trends, ensuring timely escalation and resolution of identified risks or non-compliance
  • Drive consistency and accountability across all food safety and quality assurance practices, reinforcing a culture of compliance, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Audit, Compliance & Regulatory Management
  • Lead and execute internal food safety audits, ensuring consistent adherence to organizational standards and regulatory requirements
  • Support and coordinate external audits (AIB, USDA, FDA, Feeding America, and other regulatory bodies), ensuring readiness, accuracy, and timely follow-through
  • Manage corrective action processes, ensuring findings are documented, assigned, and resolved within established timelines
  • Monitor and ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable food safety, sanitation, storage, pest control, and disposal regulations
  • Conduct and document mock recalls and traceability exercises, validating…