Quality Manager

Quality Manager

This role is part of our Purina Animal Nutrition business helping our network of local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers serve producers and animal owners throughout the United States. Through industry‑leading R&D and committed partnerships, we innovate the nutrition products and practices that unlock the full potential of every animal for a healthier, more productive life.

As a Quality Manager, you will lead quality assurance programs within a manufacturing environment and ensure compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and food/feed safety practices. This position reports to the Plant Manager and has direct responsibility for leading quality programs at the facility, as well as providing leadership to the QA Technician and housekeeping team members.

• Lead and manage quality assurance programs within the facility.
• Ensure the production of safe, high‑quality animal feed in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Maintain and improve quality practices through the Quality Management System.
• Implement new quality policies and procedures as regulations and business needs change.
• Partner with production and operations teams to provide coaching and training on quality standards, HACCP, GMPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes to resolve quality issues.
• Support continuous improvement projects related to quality, compliance, and operational performance.
• Manage customer complaints and partner with internal teams to identify and resolve quality concerns.
• Provide leadership and direction to direct reports, including QA and housekeeping team members.

• High School Diploma/GED.
• 2+ years of progressive quality assurance experience in feed, food, agriculture, manufacturing, or a related operational environment.

• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and quality testing processes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, coaching, and training skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical problem‑solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to work both strategically and tactically in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to handle customer complaints and quality‑related concerns.
• High level of integrity in products, processes, and professional relationships.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 5+ years of quality assurance experience within a full‑line lifestyle feed plant or similar manufacturing environment.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Previous regulatory or compliance experience.
• Advanced degree in Feed Science or a related field.

• Knowledge of FDA requirements and other applicable regulatory agency standards.
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs.
• Experience leading quality initiatives, audits, corrective actions, or continuous improvement projects.

Salary: $81,200 - $121,800.

We support diversity in employment practices. Land O'Lakes is a Fortune 250, farmer‑owned agriculture and food manufacturing cooperative headquartered just outside the Twin Cities with locations across the U.S.