Food Safety & Quality Manager

About Us

We are a family-owned and operated food company specializing in frozen products in Harvey, IL. We are dedicated to creating high-quality food sold in retail, food service, and other channels. Our mission is to revolutionize the food industry while maintaining the highest safety, quality, and compliance standards. As part of our commitment to food safety and excellence, we seek a skilled and experienced Food Safety and Quality Manager (SQF and HACCP certified) to oversee and enhance our quality assurance and safety systems.

Job Summary

The Food Safety and Quality Manager will be critical in developing, implementing, and managing food safety and quality systems to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations. This role requires in-depth knowledge of HACCP, SQF, quality assurance practices, food safety regulations, and the ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Food Safety Program Management:

• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective HACCP-based food safety program compliant with Codex Alimentarius, FDA, USDA, and GFSI standards, such as SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, etc.
• Conduct hazard analysis and risk assessments, identifying and controlling all potential risks.
• Guide the HACCP team, ensuring each member is well-trained and able to contribute to creating and implementing the food safety plan.

2. Quality Assurance:

• Establish and oversee quality control procedures to maintain product consistency and safety.
• Conduct routine product quality checks, audits, and laboratory testing to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Investigate and address customer complaints and non-conformance incidents, implementing corrective and preventive actions.

3. Regulatory Compliance and Audits:

• Ensure all operations comply with local, state, and federal food safety regulations.
• Prepare and lead internal and external food safety audits by regulatory agencies and certification bodies.
• Maintain detailed documentation of quality and safety processes, audits, and corrective actions.

4. Team Leadership and Training:

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary HACCP team with representatives from engineering, production, sanitation, quality assurance, and food microbiology.
• Train plant staff on food safety protocols, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Foster a safety, accountability, and continuous improvement culture throughout the organization.

5. Continuous Improvement:

• Monitor food safety and quality trends to identify areas for improvement.
• Implement innovative solutions to enhance safety and quality practices.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure safety and quality objectives align with overall business goals.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food safety and quality management in a food manufacturing environment.
• Expertise in HACCP principles and food safety regulations.
• Familiarity with GFSI standards, including SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, etc.
• Strong knowledge of food microbiology, sanitation practices, and quality assurance systems.

Preferred:

• Certifications in HACCP, SQF Practitioner, or equivalent quality systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in food safety program development.
• Background in auditing and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Outstanding communication and leadership skills.
• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving food safety and quality challenges.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Salary : $70,000 - $100,000