Food Protection/Quality Assurance Manager

Hy-Vee Inc; Missouri; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hy-Vee Inc. seeks a Food Protection/Quality Assurance Manager to lead the daily food safety and quality program at the Chariton Distribution Center, including ice manufacturing, fresh produce, freezer, and dry goods facilities.

You will guide investigations, training, and regulatory compliance, ensuring audit readiness and adherence to HACCP, GMP, and SQF standards while coordinating with Ice Plant personnel and leadership. This role reports to the VP, Chariton DC.

Qualifications

• Education in science field (food science, biology, microbiology, etc.) or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in Food Safety and/or Quality Assurance preferred.
• Leadership experience in a food production facility preferred.
• Understanding of federal and state food safety regulations, particularly FDA.
• Must have experience with HACCP and/or Preventive Control programs; SQF or other GFSI programs a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage distribution center food safety and quality operations daily to ensure compliance with policies, local, state, and federal regulations, and customer requirements.
• Oversee distribution center SQF program as the SQF Practitioner.
• Investigate incidents, recalls, regulatory non-compliances, and quality issues; document findings.
• Coordinate and assist with food protection and quality training programs for regulatory compliance.
• Verify daily tasks and completion of production paperwork with Ice Plant personnel.
• Ensure CCPs and regulatory requirements are met and oversee cold chain management (TempTRIP).
• Lead staff reviews, provide coaching, and participate in inspections with regulators.
• Contribute to development and continuous improvement of Food Safety and Quality docs (GMP, SOPs, HACCP).

Skills

Food safety leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality assurance

GMP/SQF knowledge

Auditing

Education

Science degree or equivalent

Job description

Additional Considerations (if any): Professional License/Certification Required - At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.

Job Title: Food Protection/Quality Assurance Manager

Department: Warehouse

FLSA: Salary Revision Date: 10/2026

About Hy-Vee

At Hy-Vee, we believe the shortest distance between two people is a smile. We're seeking professionals who bring proven skills, a desire to grow, and a commitment to work together in building a company that strives to make our customers' lives easier, healthier and happier.

The Role and Why It's Important

The Food Protection/Quality Assurance Manager leads the daily management of the food safety and quality program at the Chariton Distribution Center, which includes an ice manufacturing facility along with fresh produce, freezer, and dry goods warehouses. This role provides guidance and troubleshooting on food protection, quality, and regulatory compliance matters to ensure the facility exceeds regulatory requirements and Hy-Vee standards. If you bring a scientific mindset, a passion for food safety, and the leadership to keep a complex, multi-temperature operation audit-ready every day, you'll excel in this role.

What You'll Do

• Manage distribution center food safety and quality operations on a daily basis to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, local, state, and federal regulations, and customer requirements.
• Oversee distribution center SQF program as the SQF Practitioner.
• With assistance of distribution center Food Protection and Compliance Manager, conduct investigations into incidents, recalls, regulatory non-compliances, and quality issues, and document findings.
• Coordinate and assist with food protection and quality training programs to ensure employees are current with regulatory requirements and procedures.
• Verify all daily tasks assigned.
• Work with Ice Plant personnel to ensure completion of daily production paperwork.
• Verify all CCPs and regulatory requirements met.
• Oversee the cold chain management system of incoming loads (TempTRIP).
• Conduct counseling and reviews of staff as needed.
• Assist with tours of the facility for inspections from various regulatory agencies.
• Follow-up with deviations discovered during inspections.
• Able to assist with developing, evaluation, and continuous improvement related to all aspects of the Food Safety and Quality, including but not limited to, prerequisite programs, SOPs, and regulatory documents (HACCP and Food Safety Plans), to ensure effective implementation and maintenance of documentation at the facility.
• Ensure compliance to plant policies and Federal and State regulations including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and SQF standards.
• Lead direct reports by providing instruction, assigning, planning, and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, and acting on employee problems; balance department workload, costs, and overtime with distribution center needs, and recommend disciplinary action in partnership with Human Resources.

Your Skills

Commitment to the Hy-Vee mission and a willingness to promote the company's values

Core competencies: partnerships, growth mindset, results oriented, customer focused, and professionalism

Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills Expertise in and ability to pick up on new technologies, including understanding of automation and use of software to troubleshoot control issues Ability to solve problems and identify opportunities to improve facility processes Ability to use logical or scientific thinking to solve problems involving several abstract and concrete variables Grace under pressure and adaptability to changes throughout daily operations Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, including pricing, sales reports, profit and loss reports, and wages Reporting Relationships Accountable and Reports to: Vice President, Chariton Distribution Center Direct Reports: Quality Control Manager and QC Inspectors

Education and Experience

Education in science field (food science, biology, microbiology, etc.) or equivalent experience

3-5 years of experience in Food Safety and/or Quality Assurance preferred

Leadership experience in a food production facility preferred

Understanding of federal and state food safety regulations, particularly FDA

Must have experience with HACCP and/or Preventive Control programs

Experience with SQF or other GFSI programs a plus General knowledge of cleaning chemicals and facility sanitation processes preferred

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; exert up to 20 pounds of force frequently; and exert up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must be able to be on feet (standing and walking) for 8-12 hours a day. Visual requirements include vision from less than 20 inches to more than 20 feet with or without correction, depth perception, color vision, and field of vision. Must be able to perform the following physical activities: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to work long hours at times under extreme temperatures.

Working Environment

The duties of this position are performed throughout the Chariton Distribution Center campus, which operates within multiple temperature-controlled environments, including freezer, cooler, and ice manufacturing areas. Equipment used includes a personal computer, telephone, printer, and copier, along with quality testing tools such as penetrometers, thermometers, pH meters, Brix meters, chemical titration kits, a seam projector, knives, rulers, and cameras; safety goggles and gloves are required as appropriate. The role has daily contact with contractors, employees, and suppliers/vendors, and occasional contact with federal or state regulatory agencies regarding inspections.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.