Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technologist - 2nd Shift

Smithfield Foods; Denison (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Assurance professional to join our team. You will conduct routine inspections, enforce HACCP and USDA regulations, and monitor product quality from start to finish. You will work with production teams to resolve issues and drive improvements.

You must have a high school diploma or GED; an Associate's degree is preferred. Strong attention to detail and clear communication are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's degree preferred for advancement.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine inspections (process, metal detection, cooking, cooling) to ensure quality.
• Identify and address out-of-spec products and interpret customer specs.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying root causes and supporting QA programs.

Skills

Quality assurance

Food science

Meat processing

USDA regulations

Data analysis

Written & verbal communication

Monitoring equipment

Office software

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

Office software

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special - a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

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 play an important role in ensuring our products meet the highest standards. You will perform routine sanitation checks, enforce HACCP and USDA regulations, and use your technical expertise to track products from start to finish - identifying issues and driving corrective actions when needed.

You will be responsible for monitoring quality in your area, from grading products and documenting results to overseeing sanitation, temperatures, GMPs, and more. Working closely with production teams, you'll help resolve issues, investigate root causes, and improve processes. You'll also support quality programs through training and performance assessment.

Your attention to detail ensures our brands - from Smithfield to Nathan's Famous - are delivered safely and with confidence.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Quality Verification: You conduct routine inspections - including process, metal detection, cooking, and chilling - to ensure products meet all quality standards. You identify and act on out-of-spec products, interpret customer specs, and collaborate with teams to correct issues quickly.
• Quality Improvement: You drive continuous improvement by addressing deficiencies, identifying root causes of failures, and supporting QA programs. This includes training, spec reviews, and collaborating on initiatives to enhance product quality and reduce waste.
• Food Safety & HACCP Compliance: You help develop and enforce HACCP programs, monitor critical control points, and ensure food safety protocols are followed throughout the production process.
• Regulatory & Sanitation Oversight: You ensure USDA regulatory requirements are met, assist with food safety documentation updates, and perform pre-op sanitation checks - following up to guarantee proper cleaning and sampling procedures.
• Communication & Training: You report food safety issues, recommend corrective actions, and support plant training on deficiencies. In the absence of key personnel, you're prepared to step in or delegate responsibilities as needed.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), required.
• For internal candidates with 4+ years of experience with the company, the Company has the discretion to waive educational requirements.
• Must have the ability to complete required forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.
• Demonstrates knowledge of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, and USDA regulations, ensuring compliance with company and industry standards.
• Capable of creating, interpreting, and maintaining technical documents, reports, and manuals, with effective written and verbal communication across teams and stakeholders.
• Experienced in using monitoring equipment, analyzing data, and responding to regulatory or customer inquiries with sound, evidence-based decisions.
• Proficient in office software and able to interpret and follow instructions in various formats, including written, oral, and visual.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Associate's degree, preferred
• Effectively collaborates with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented attitude to foster strong working relationships and a positive workplace culture.

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 ch