Food Safety & Quality Assurance Supervisor

3M HEALTHCARE; Crete (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Job summary

Smithfield is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Assurance leader to ensure products meet high safety and quality standards. You will supervise sanitation, HACCP, SQF, and regulatory programs across production areas and drive continuous improvement with plant teams.

The role offers opportunities to step into FSQA management duties while developing a high-performance team focused on safety and quality for brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years’ experience in food safety or QA.
• Experience leading staff or projects.
• Familiarity with meat processing, USDA, HACCP, SSOP, SQF.

Responsibilities

• Lead food safety and quality assurance programs across production areas.
• Investigate and resolve product/process failures, ensuring compliance.
• Oversee HACCP, SSOP, and SQF system ownership and improvements.
• Develop and train FSQA staff to maintain high standards.

Skills

People leadership

Training & mentoring

Communication

Project management

Quality mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

MS Office

QMS systems

Job description

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.As part of our Food Safety & Quality Assurance team, you will ensure our products meet the highest safety and quality standards. You will conduct sanitation checks, enforce HAACP and USDA regulations, and track products from start to finish, implementing corrective actions as needed.Overseeing FSQA programs in specific production areas, you will ensure compliance, train employees, and drive continuous improvement. With opportunities to step into FSQA Manager duties, you will play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality products under brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous.If you are passionate about food safety, quality and leadership, join us and make an impact!

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Food Safety & Quality Assurance Leadership - You’ll ensure that all Food Safety, Quality Assurance, SQF, and Regulatory programs are executed and documented accurately, maintaining compliance and product integrity. Your role will involve investigating and resolving product/process failures quickly, minimizing downtime, and ensuring safety and quality standards are consistently met. You will collaborate closely with plant management, production teams, and the USDA to drive continuous improvement in food safety, quality, and sanitation.
• Continuous Improvement & Compliance- You’ll prevent failures by actively managing HACCP, SSOP, and product specifications. Leading efforts to improve product quality and processes in partnership with FSQA staff and Operations will be a key responsibility. Additionally, you will oversee and participate in plant committees and task forces, such as the Health and Safety Committee, to enhance safety and quality standards.
• Sanitation & SQF System Ownership - You will conduct operational and pre-operational sanitation inspections and micro sampling to ensure the effectiveness of sanitation practices. As the owner of the SQF system, you’ll maintain and reassess the SQF Plan regularly, ensuring it remains compliant and up to date. You will also communicate key updates and ensure team-wide awareness for the effective implementation of the SQF system.
• Team Development - You’ll manage the work assignments, training, and development of food safety and quality assurance staff, fostering a high-performance team that upholds the highest standards of food safety and quality.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years’ relevant experience in food safety or quality assurance; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or through managing a process or project.
• Familiarity with meat processing, USDA, HACCP, SSOP, and SQF
• Ability to uphold regulatory, company, and customer standards and address inquiries or complaints.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• HACCP and SQF certifications preferred.
• Ability to uphold regulatory, company, and customer standards and address inquiries or complaints.
• Proficiency in database, inventory, manufacturing software, QMS systems, SAP, and MS Office.
• Strong written and oral communication, with excellent decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong planning, multitasking, and project management skills.
• Must complete forms in English; ability to travel up to 20% and work extended hours or weekends as needed.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, fostering positive relationships and a team-oriented atmosphere.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office and plant setting. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Additionally ability to differentiate colors.

Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.

Relocation Package Available

Yes

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.