Essential Duties & Responsibilities Include:

• Daily oversight of production practices including raw material receiving requirements; pre-operational and operational sanitation; finished product quality and Food Safety Systems; ensuring all FSQA policies and procedures are followed
• Monitoring verification and documentation associated with adherence to government regulations
• Developing, implementing and maintaining the HACCP, PCQI, SOP, GMP and SSOP based programs
• Ensuring finished product conforms to customer product and label specifications
• Report product issues and audit results to plant and corporate FSQA, plant management, corporate sales and/or operations
• Interacting with customers and their agents for product showings, plant tours and audits; visits to customer facilities
• Initial product runs and investigation response to quality related customer complaints
• Monitoring microbiological results; conducting bacterial swabs and generating shelf-life environmental graphs
• Performing research and development activities
• Responsible for implementing and maintaining food safety and quality programs and for the selecting, training and managing of FSQA Supervisors and FSQA Technicians
• Facilitating both the Food Safety and Foreign Material teams at the plant
• Completing required internal, regulatory, and customer audits
• Managing Hold Release inventories at plant level in SAP.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in food safety, animal science, natural science, or a related technical field, or equivalent job experience essential to the role.
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience, with 8 years preferred. Experience with USDA regulated products is required, and SAP experience is a plus.
• Proficient in standard computer skills, including spreadsheet generation and template development for effective communication with plant management, corporate FSQA, sales, and operations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating the ability to correspond effectively with team members at all levels, from the production line to corporate management.
• Strong problem identification and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with various facets within the organization and serving as the plant liaison to USDA. HACCP Certified, GFSI Certified, and PCQI Certified are preferred.
• Direct supervisory experience for a minimum of 3 years, with 5 years preferred.
• Occasional travel, approximately 2-5 trips per year.