Food Quality Manager

Didion, Inc.; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative Work Environment

Career Growth Opportunities

Team Collaboration

Sustainability Commitment

Job summary

Didion, Inc. seeks a Mill Quality Manager to lead the quality organization, build systems for growth, and elevate food safety and product quality across operations, R&D, Sales, and Human Development.

The role emphasizes coaching teams, accountability, and sustainable improvements that positively affect customers and regulators. The ideal candidate will have a strong QA background, HACCP/PCQI certification, and a track record of driving continuous improvement in milling or food manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Milling Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience in food manufacturing quality or related function.
• HACCP certification.
• PCQI certification.
• Experience supporting GFSI-recognized food safety programs (FSSC 22000, SQF, or BRC).
• Experience leading investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, quality systems, and audit processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Mill Quality Management System (QMS) and promote a culture of food safety and quality excellence.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with company, regulatory, and certification requirements.
• Support HACCP and preventative control programs as a Food Safety Team member.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with Operations and other departments to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Support and maintain FSSC and other GFSI-recognized programs.
• Act as primary contact for customer quality concerns and ensure timely investigations and closure.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety knowledge

Auditing

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/ Chemistry/ Biology/ Milling Science

Job description

Lead Quality. Build Systems. Drive Continuous Improvement.

At Didion, we're committed to delivering safe, high-quality food ingredients while creating a culture where people and processes continuously improve. We're looking for a Mill Quality Manager who can bring structure, accountability, and leadership to our quality organization while helping us build the systems needed to support future growth.

This is more than a compliance role. We're seeking a leader who can identify recurring challenges, implement sustainable solutions, develop team capabilities, and strengthen cross-functional partnerships. If you're energized by improving processes, coaching teams, and making a meaningful impact on food safety and quality performance, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Accomplish

During your first year, you'll play a key role in:

• Building and strengthening departmental training programs and partnering on the integration of quality training into Didion's learning platform.
• Establishing clear expectations, priorities, and accountability within the Quality team.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance food safety, product quality, and operational consistency.
• Strengthening partnerships across Operations, Human Development, Sales, and R&D to achieve business objectives.

What You'll Do

Quality & Food Safety Leadership

• Lead the Mill Quality Management System (QMS) and promote a culture of food safety and quality excellence.
• Conduct and oversee internal audits and ensure compliance with company, regulatory, and certification requirements.
• Serve as a key member of the Food Safety Team and support HACCP and preventative control programs.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Operations and other departments to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Support and maintain FSSC and other GFSI-recognized food safety programs.

Customer & Regulatory Oversight

• Act as the primary point of contact for customer quality concerns.
• Ensure customer complaints receive timely investigation, communication, corrective action, and closure.
• Support external audits, customer visits, and regulatory inspections.
• Manage customer quality responses and oversee follow‑up activities.
• Lead, coach, and develop quality team members while creating a high‑performance, accountable culture.
• Set clear expectations and provide consistent communication and feedback.
• Develop training programs that build technical capability and support long‑term succession planning.
• Foster strong cross‑functional relationships throughout the organization.
• Analyze quality trends and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead initiatives focused on reducing repeat issues, customer complaints, and quality deviations.
• Utilize root‑cause methodologies such as 5 Whys, Cause Mapping, and corrective action programs.
• Help establish dashboards and reporting tools that drive visibility and accountability.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The ideal candidate is:

• A confident leader who can earn credibility with strong operational teams.
• Able to remain focused on priorities without getting distracted by daily noise.
• Comfortable holding others accountable while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Driven to improve systems and processes rather than continually fighting the same problems.
• Highly organized, structured, and solutions‑oriented.
• Skilled at communicating with different audiences, from frontline team members to customers and leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Milling Science, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience in food manufacturing quality, food safety, or a related function.
• HACCP certification.
• PCQI certification.
• Experience supporting GFSI‑recognized food safety programs such as FSSC 22000, SQF, or BRC.
• Experience leading investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, quality systems, and audit processes.

Preferred

• Experience implementing or managing FSSC 22000 programs.
• Experience leading customer audits and customer complaint investigations.
• Experience in grain processing, dry milling, or ingredient manufacturing.
• Supervisory experience with laboratory, quality, or food safety teams.

Why Didion?

At Didion, quality is a business partnership, not just a department. Our Quality leaders work closely with Operations, Human Development, R&D, Sales, and Shared Services to solve problems, develop people, and drive business results. You'll have the opportunity to shape systems, influence culture, and leave a lasting impact on an organization committed to growth and continuous improvement.

Join us and help us build the future of quality at Didion.

Didion Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected status.

Didion participates in E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

At Didion, we believe in the power of innovation, dedication, and collaboration. As a leading force in the agribusiness industry, we are proud of our commitment to quality, precision, and creating solutions that make a lasting impact. But even more, we are proud of our commitment to our team.

• Innovative Work Environment: Join a team of passionate professionals who thrive in an innovative and dynamic workplace. We embrace cutting‑edge technologies and are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Bring your ideas, and we’ll give them a voice.
• Career Growth Opportunities: At Didion, we invest in our people. Our commitment to team member development means that you’ll have access to training programs, frequent check‑ins, mentorship, continued education, and opportunities for career advancement within the organization.
• Team Collaboration: We believe that the best solutions come from collaborative brainstorming. Join a team where your input is valued and learn alongside experts who are dedicated to achieving excellence in every project.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Be part of a company that is dedicated to environmentally responsible practices, both in industry and in agriculture. At Didion, we are committed to sustainability and minimizing our environmental footprint.

WHEN YOU WORK WITH US, WE WORK WITH YOU.

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