3rd Shift Smokehouse Specialist - Quality & Safety

Western Smokehouse Partners; Mexico (MO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

Job summary

Western Smokehouse Partners in Mexico, MO, is seeking a Smokehouse Specialist to ensure smokehouse processes meet USDA, GMP, and HACCP standards. You will monitor, verify parameters, review batch records, and support CAPA actions in a high-volume meat snack facility.

You will collaborate with Production, QA, and Maintenance to resolve deviations, perform in-process checks, maintain logs, and assist with internal audits and regulatory inspections, contributing to product safety and quality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; post-secondary education in food science, microbiology, or a related field is a plus.
• 1-2 years of experience in food manufacturing, preferably with exposure to RTE (Ready-to-Eat) meat processing or thermal processing environments.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, food safety regulations, and USDA/FSIS guidelines.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to identify and document quality deviations.
• Ability to read and interpret batch records, cook logs, and product specifications.
• Comfortable using basic computer systems for data entry and quality documentation.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work in cold/hot environments and adhere to strict safety and sanitation guidelines.
• HACCP certification or willingness to obtain preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor smokehouse processes to ensure compliance with internal quality standards, USDA regulations, and HACCP protocols.
• Verify thermal processing parameters (time, temperature, humidity, Aw, pH) are recorded accurately and meet specs.
• Review and maintain smokehouse batch records, cook logs, and temperature charts for accuracy and completeness.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections and sanitation verifications prior to smokehouse startup.
• Collaborate with Production, QA, and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot and resolve deviations or process failures.
• Perform in-process checks on finished products to verify texture, color, packaging integrity, and overall appearance.
• Validate proper tagging of smokehouse racks and ensure correct labeling, ingredient tracking, and traceability.
• Assist with corrective and preventative action (CAPA) implementation when quality or safety issues are identified.
• Support the QA team with internal audits, product testing, and continuous improvement initiatives related to thermal processing.
• Maintain calibration and verification logs for smokehouse monitoring equipment.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, GMPs, and all applicable USDA/FDA regulations.
• Communicate findings to QA leadership and elevate any issues that may affect product safety or regulatory compliance.
• Provide support during regulatory inspections and third-party audits.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support company quality and food safety goals.

Skills

Attention to detail

Quality documentation

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Post-secondary in food science or related field

Job description

Western Smokehouse Partners in Mexico, MO, is seeking a Smokehouse Specialist to ensure smokehouse processes meet USDA, GMP, and HACCP standards. You will monitor, verify parameters, review batch records, and support CAPA actions in a high-volume meat snack facility.

You will collaborate with Production, QA, and Maintenance to resolve deviations, perform in-process checks, maintain logs, and assist with internal audits and regulatory inspections, contributing to product safety and quality.