Food Safety Manager

The Institute of Food Technologists; Quincy (FL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lipman Family Farms is seeking a detail-oriented FSQA Manager to lead the food safety and quality assurance functions at a new thermal processing facility. You will establish policies, direct audits, and drive continuous improvement to meet customer, regulatory, and company standards.

You will educate and motivate staff to embed food safety into daily operations, ensure product safety and quality, and collaborate with National FSQA and production teams to resolve issues promptly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, Public Health, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years in food safety auditing, QA, or supervisory roles in food manufacturing or fresh produce.
• Experience in Thermal processing (kettle cooking, aseptic) preferred.
• Strong understanding of GFSI standards (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000) and FDA FSMA.
• Experience with sanitation practices (CIP, COP) and environmental monitoring programs.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to train facility staff.

Responsibilities

• Establish and manage FSQA KPI’s to raise visibility of progress with leadership and National FSQA.
• Develop, document, and implement FSQA procedures for all products.
• Identify risks and non-conformities and develop corrective action plans with leadership.
• Provide leadership and participate in facility projects to address FSQA concerns early.
• Coordinate with National FSQA, plant management, and sales to flag FSQA concerns.
• Work with supplier approval teams to ensure raw materials and packaging meet standards.
• Establish SSOP’s; guide sanitation and environmental monitoring programs.
• Deliver food safety training to facility teams and ensure consistent application of protocols.
• Monitor corrective actions and ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Gatekeeper for customer, GFSI, and regulatory audits and inspections.

Skills

GFSI standards understanding

Analytical/problem-solving

Written and verbal communication

Leadership/team guidance

Food safety training delivery

Physical inspection readiness

Bilingual - Spanish/English

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science or Public Health

Job description

About Our Company

Lipman Family Farms is the largest open-field tomato grower in North America. As a vertically integrated company, Lipman provides fresh produce and value-added solutions from seed to shelf. For almost 80 years, we’ve remained rooted in integrity, innovation, and sustainability, delivering quality produce that’s Good from the Ground Up.

About the Role

This is an opportunity for detail-oriented FSQA professionals to be part of a new thermal processing facility. This role will involve establishing FSQA policies and procedures for unit operations.The FSQA Manager provides leadership, direction, and execution of all plant food safety and quality assurance functions to support the location food safety and quality goals and ensures compliance with regulatory agencies. In addition, the FSQA Manager ensures products produced meet or exceed all customer, regulatory and company requirements as they relate to food safety and quality as well as acts as the facility authority on all food safety and quality matters. Help educate and motivate staff to ensure food safety compliance becomes part of the facility operational culture.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Public Health, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in food safety auditing, quality assurance, or food safety supervisory experience within food manufacturing or the fresh produce industry.
• Experience in Thermal processing (kettle cooking, aseptic processing) preferred
• Strong understanding of GFSI standards (e.g., SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000) and FDA FSMA regulations.
• Experience with sanitation practices in food manufacturing facilities (CIP, COP) and managing environmental monitoring programs.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a hands-on approach to FSQA compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear feedback and training to facility teams.
• Ability to walk, kneel, climb, and lift to 50 pounds as needed during facility inspections.
• Preferred certifications: PCQI, SQF practitioner, Better Process Control School, Certified Food Scientist
• Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred, with the ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and manage FSQA KPI’s in a manner which helps elevate awareness of progress and opportunities for improvement with facility leadership and National FSQA
• Develops, documents, and implements FSQA procedures for all products
• Identity and Report Issues: Observe food safety practices at facility, identify risks and areas of non-compliance, and promptly review findings with facility leadership and develop action plans for corrective actions.
• Provides leadership and become an active member of all facility projects to ensure FSQA concerns are identified and addressed early
• Maintains open communications with National FSQA, plant management, and sales staff to ensure each are aware of any potential FSQA related concerns with product or product requirements and specifications
• Work with National FSQA supplier approval team to ensure all raw material and packaging used are met company supplier approval standards
• Sanitation & Environmental Monitoring: establish SSOP’s and provide guidance on sanitation practices within facility that ensures effective cleaning, pest control, and overall hygiene. Manage and evaluate environmental monitoring programs with a continuous improvement mindset that will help identify and mitigate food safety risks
• Provide Ongoing Training and Support: Deliver food safety training to facility teams, ensuring consistent interpretation and application of food safety protocols, and corrective actions needed to maintain compliance.
• Monitor and Track Compliance: Track the implementation of corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness to ensure continued compliance with food safety regulations.
• Gatekeeper off all customer, GFSI and regulatory audits and inspections
• Establish and manage FSQA KPI’s in a manner which helps elevate awareness of progress and opportunities for improvement with facility leadership and National FSQA