Assistant Food Safety Quality Manager - Watertown

Johnsonville; Watertown (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly bonus

401k with company match

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Disability and life insurance

Fertility and adoption assistance

Paid time off and parental leave

Job summary

Johnsonville in Watertown, WI seeks an Assistant Food Safety/Quality Coordinator to drive safety, quality and animal welfare initiatives. You will educate teams, support operations on safety and quality programs, and lead audits to ensure compliance with GMP, USDA and FSIS standards.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, cross‑functional teamwork and timely problem solving to uphold Johnsonville’s best‑in‑world quality culture and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Microbiology or related field preferred.
• HACCP Certification, preferred.
• GFSI certification - SQF Practitioner or BRC certification, preferred

Responsibilities

• Educate members on animal handling, food safety and quality systems.
• Represent food safety, quality, and animal welfare on cross‑functional teams.
• Develop and maintain facility food safety and quality plans and SOPs including Redzone Compliance.
• Lead or co‑lead third party audits (SQF and customer).
• Coordinate with plant operations on policies related to internal/external customers and vendors.
• Liaise with third party sanitation and monitor metrics.
• Act as plant liaison to USDA and other regulatory agencies ensuring GMP, USDA compliance.
• Assist with identifying and troubleshooting day‑to‑day safety and quality opportunities.
• Inspect, audit and drive continuous improvement in standard work processes.
• Analyze Redzone data to identify trends in food safety and quality.
• Back up the Food Safety and Quality Coordinator when needed.

Skills

lead by example

continuous growth

communication skills

statistical tools

multi-tasking

detail oriented

team player

influence decision making

adaptability

learn and adapt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science/Meat Science/Food Science/Microbiology

HACCP Certification

GFSI SQF Practitioner or BRC certification

Tools

SAP

Redzone

Job description

Johnsonville Location:

Watertown

Our No. 1 priority at Johnsonville is providing a safe work environment for every Member we employ. Our industry-leading safety record, coupled with the safety awards we’ve received, demonstrate this commitment.

Members of our safety team maintain the safety of Johnsonville Members in our facilities, continuously finding new and better ways to do so. We’re also dedicated to producing only the highest-quality products for consumers worldwide to enjoy – ones we would be proud to serve at our own family table.

Our quality team ensures Johnsonville meets or exceeds all standards set by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), of the US Department of Agriculture and other regulatory agencies. Our commitment to quality is unparalleled, thanks to the dedication of each quality team member.

Position Overview

As the Assistant Food Safety/Quality Coordinator your passion for continuous improvement will support the company in its drive to create a best in world quality culture through leadership and member interaction. This job is perfect for a self-motivated individual who enjoys working as a team and driving for continuous growth. Day-to-day activities support driving food safety, quality and animal welfare activities to a best-in-class level.

Responsibilities

• Use your technical expertise to educate members on animal handling, food safety and quality applications and systems.
• Be a resource for the plant’s operations and to represent food safety and quality and animal welfare on cross-functional project teams.
• Develop and maintain facility food safety plans, quality plans and standard operating procedures including Redzone Compliance.
• Lead or co-lead third party audits (SQF and customer) and maintain required programs.
• Function as a liaison for plant operations on food safety and quality policies as they relate to both internal and external customers and third-party vendors.
• Function as a plant liaison with third party sanitation company and assist with monitoring metrics
• Be a plant representative to the USDA and other regulatory agencies, while ensuring compliance to GMP standards, USDA, and other regulatory requirements
• Aid with coordinating and troubleshooting of day-to-day food safety and quality opportunities to help the teams define comprehensive and proactive solutions.
• Inspect, audit and work with facility continuous improvement teams to ensure best practice and enhanced standard work processes are implemented and acted upon.
• Evaluate data and Redzone documentation to troubleshoot any trends around food safety and quality processes and products.
• Back up the Food Safety and Quality Coordinator in their absence.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Microbiology or a related field preferred, but equivalent work experience will be considered with appropriate certifications.
• HACCP Certification, preferred.
• GFSI certification - SQF Practitioner or BRC certification, preferred

Experience

• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP systems, required
• 2-4 years of experience in a quality leadership position is preferred.
• Experience in livestock animal handling and welfare, preferred.
• Experience in food manufacturing required, meat processing/harvest preferred.
• Experience working under regulatory systems, specifically USDA and Animal Handling and Welfare preferred.

Skills

• Ability to lead by example and engage others in the decision-making process
• Commitment to continuous personal growth and development
• Intermediate understanding of food safety and animal welfare practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic understanding of statistical quality tools and continuous improvement processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt priorities as needed
• Detail oriented, responsible, self-motivated individual.
• Strong team player with problem solving skills and results-driven mindset.
• Ability to influence decision making with senior leaders and production members.
• Quick to learn and adapt
• Experience with SAP and Redzone preferred.
• Ability to work second shift (2:30 - 11:00 pm) and flex to different shifts as needed

Other Requirements

• Ability to work second shift (2:30 - 11:00 pm) and flex to different shifts as needed

Benefits And Compensation

Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

About Our Company

Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave‑able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.