Quality Assurance Lead

Position: QUALITY ASSURANCE LEAD (28983)
## Description
** Position Summary
**** Meats by Linz is seeking a motivated professional who is ready to take the next step in their career and lead a high-performing team. This role is ideal for someone with proven expertise in food quality who is eager to transition into a leadership position, take ownership of key projects, and mentor others toward success.
**** The Quality Assurance Lead oversees daily quality and food safety operations within the meat processing facility. This role provides leadership to the QA team, ensures compliance with USDA-FSIS and company requirements, and coordinates with production to resolve food safety and quality issues. The QA Lead is responsible for implementing and verifying HACCP, SSOP, and GMP programs, managing QA technicians, supporting audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.**--
- ** Leadership & Oversight
*** Supervise, train, and mentor QA Technicians to ensure consistent performance and regulatory compliance.
* Assign and monitor daily QA tasks, including pre-op inspections, CCP verifications, and in-process checks.
* Serve as the primary point of contact between production and QA staff for on-floor food safety and quality issues.
** Regulatory Compliance & Audits
*** Ensure facility adherence to USDA-FSIS, FDA, HACCP, SSOP, GMP, and customer requirements.
* Lead daily plant pre-operational and operational inspections; verify proper sanitation and equipment conditions.
* Prepare for, coordinate, and accompany regulatory officials and third-party auditors during inspections.
* Review and sign off on HACCP and SSOP records to verify accuracy and completeness.
** Food Safety & Quality Management
*** Monitor production lines for food safety risks, proper handling of raw and finished products, allergen controls, and cross-contamination prevention.
* Oversee verification of metal detectors, X-ray machines, and other CCP monitoring devices.
* Review product holds, rework, and disposition decisions to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
* Conduct root cause analysis of deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints; implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
** Documentation & Reporting
*** Maintain accurate QA records, reports, and logs; ensure proper filing and traceability.
* Compile daily/weekly QA performance metrics and provide reports to management.
* Track trends and recommend process improvements to reduce food safety risks and improve efficiency.
** Training & Continuous Improvement
*** Conduct refresher training for production employees on GMPs, HACCP, and food safety practices.
* Support onboarding and competency development of new QA staff.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives in food safety, sanitation, and quality management systems.## Qualifications_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
** Education & Experience*** + High School diploma or equivalent required.  + 2+ years of QA or food safety experience in meat or food processing (required).  + Prior experience in leadership, supervisory, or lead role strongly preferred.  + Strong working knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, SSOP, GMP, and GFSI standards.
** Skills & Abilities*** + Ability to speak and write in English. Bilingual Preferred  + Communicate Quality standards and expectations with confidence and authority, ensuring clear, firm, and professional interactions with team members.  + Strong leadership and people management skills.  + Excellent communication and conflict resolution abilities.  + Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills.  + Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cold/wet environment.  

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office and QA documentation systems.
** Physical Requirements*** + Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in cold, damp environments.  + Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.  + Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays as production demands.

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- ** Core Competencies
*** Leadership & Team Development
* Regulatory Knowledge & Audit Readiness
* Food Safety & Quality Commitment
* Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
* Communication & Collaboration