Plant Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

Relocation Package Available | Performance-Based Productivity Bonuses

Your Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Plant Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager to lead and manage all Food Safety and Quality Assurance functions within a high-volume food manufacturing facility. This role is accountable for ensuring safe, high-quality products that meet customer expectations while maintaining strict compliance with all regulatory standards.

This is a highly visible leadership position responsible for keeping the facility audit-ready at all times. USDA presence is continuous, and the plant must consistently meet regulatory expectations without interruption. In addition to competitive compensation, this role includes bonuses based on productivity performance.

The Plant Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager reports directly to Plant Leadership and Corporate Food Safety & Quality leadership.

Core Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Audit Readiness

• Ensure all Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory programs are functioning as designed, followed consistently, and fully documented.

• Maintain continuous audit readiness — USDA oversight is ongoing and expectations are daily.

• Execute USDA daily verification tasks and manage third-party audits and USDA Food Safety System Assessments.

• Make scientifically defensible decisions that maintain compliance without unnecessary impact to operational productivity.

• Investigate product or process failures, determine root cause, and implement corrective actions quickly while minimizing downtime and product exposure.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with USDA officials.

• Revise and update food safety and quality programs as required.

Food Safety & Quality Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement of HACCP, SSOP, and process controls.

• Partner with Operations to prevent food safety or quality failures through training, process control, and specification adherence.

• Implement corrective actions based on audit findings, microbiological data, and shelf-life results.

Sanitation & Food Safety Programs

• Oversee the facility’s sanitation program, including USDA regulatory documentation and sanitation performance tracking.

• Ensure operational and pre-operational sanitation standards are met and verified.

• Implement micro-sampling and other verification activities to validate sanitation effectiveness.

• Conduct GMP and sanitation audits and document corrective actions.

• Lead and develop Food Safety & Quality staff.

SQF System Oversight

• Create, maintain, and reassess the SQF Quality Plan (minimum annually or when process changes occur).

• Oversee implementation and maintenance of the SQF system, including food safety fundamentals and quality plans.

• Ensure effective communication and integrity of the SQF system throughout the facility.

Personnel Management

• Lead, coach, and develop Food Safety & QA team members.

• Manage performance reviews, scheduling, training, and accountability.

• Participate in interviewing, hiring, and disciplinary processes as needed.

• Foster a respectful, team-oriented, and positive work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Microbiology, or related field preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in the food industry.

• 2+ years of leadership experience managing teams.

• Strong knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and SSOP requirements.

• In-depth understanding of microbiological testing (meat and poultry experience preferred).

• Experience with pathogens and microbes associated with food production.

• USDA/HACCP Certification preferred.

• SQF Certified Expert preferred.

• Strong knowledge of SPC, statistics, and quality systems.

• Experience with QMS systems, SAP, and manufacturing software.

• Excellent communication, decision-making, and organizational skills.

• Ability to travel up to 10%.

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

• Must be able to read and write in English.

Work Environment

• Combination office and production plant setting.

• Exposure to cold and hot environments, wet conditions, moving mechanical parts, chemicals, and moderate to loud noise levels.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

If you are a strong food safety leader who thrives in a fast-paced, audit-intensive environment and can keep a facility inspection-ready at all times, we encourage you to apply.