Food Safety Quality Lead (Holton)

Johnsonville Sausage, LLC; Holton (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnsonville Sausage, LLC in Holton, KS is seeking a Food Safety/Quality Leader to ensure products meet safety, quality, and consumer expectations. You will work with a team to complete daily HACCP, SSOP, SOP documentation, verifications, and support lab and audit activities.

The role partners with operations and USDA-FSIS personnel to drive compliance and continuous improvement, train staff, and maintain testing supplies while communicating with inspectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology or related field required or preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in the food industry preferred.
• HACCP trained or certification desired.

Responsibilities

• Review daily HACCP and quality documentation for accuracy.
• Perform routine lab activities including fat testing and swabbing.
• Verify daily SSOP and SOP documentation.
• Support training on Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Conduct inspections and audits to ensure standards.
• Collaborate with operations on incident investigation and corrective actions.
• Assist with implementing and reinforcing SOPs.
• Coordinate with sanitation for compliance feedback.
• Maintain lab supplies and testing resources.
• Communicate with USDA-FSIS inspectors.
• Provide backup support as needed.

Skills

HACCP knowledge

GMP knowledge

SSOP knowledge

Leadership

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology or related field

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Johnsonville Location: Holton

Our No. 1 priority at Johnsonville is providing a safe work environment for every Member we employ. Our industry-leading safety record, coupled with the safety awards we've received, demonstrate this commitment. Members of our safety team maintain the safety of Johnsonville Members in our facilities, continuously finding new and better ways to do so. We're also dedicated to producing only the highest-quality products for consumers worldwide to enjoy - ones we would be proud to serve at our own family table. Our quality team ensures Johnsonville meets or exceeds all standards set by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), of the US Department of Agriculture and other regulatory agencies. Our commitment to quality is unparalleled, thanks to the dedication of each quality team member.

Position Overview

As a Food Safety/Quality Leader, your contribution will help ensure Johnsonville products meet established standards for food safety, quality, and consumer experience. This role works with a team of individuals who jointly are responsible for completing and reviewing daily HACCP, SSOP, SOP, and quality documentation; performing required verifications; supporting lab and audit activities; and collaboratively working with operations, sanitation, and USDA-FSIS personnel to drive compliance and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Review daily HACCP and quality documentation for accuracy, completeness, pre-shipment review, and appropriate follow-up.
• Perform routine lab activities, including fat testing, swabbing, plating, shelf-life evaluations, sensory reviews, and result reporting.
• Verify that daily SSOP and SOP documentation is completed and filed appropriately.
• Support member training on Food Safety and Quality programs, procedures, and expectations.
• Conduct Food Safety and Quality inspections and audits to verify adherence to established standards.
• Partner with operations teams on incident reporting, root cause investigation, corrective actions, and follow-up verification.
• Assist with implementing and reinforcing SOPs across the facility.
• Work with sanitation partners to verify compliance with company standards and communicate feedback as needed.
• Maintain lab supplies and resources needed to complete daily testing requirements.
• Communicate routinely with USDA-FSIS inspectors and support regulatory interactions.
• Provide backup support for the Assistant Food Safety/Quality Coordinator and Food Safety/Quality Coordinator, as needed.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology or a related field preferred

Experience

• 2 years of experience in the food industry preferred

Skills

• Demonstrated interest in continued growth within Food Safety and Quality or related leadership opportunities.
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, GMP's and SSOP's preferred
• Experience working under a regulatory system, USDA preferred
• HACCP trained or certification desired
• SQF Practitioner certification desired
• Detail-oriented, responsible, and self-motivated.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with limited supervision.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and follow-up skills.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with SAP desired

Other Requirements

• The ability to work weekends as needed per the schedule

Benefits and Compensation

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

About our Company

Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.

Join Our Community

The Johnsonville Way

Our culture, called the Johnsonville Way, guides the way we behave, operate and treat one another. We truly believe that here at Johnsonville, we have a moral responsibility to create and maintain an environment that requires each Member to fully develop their God-given talents and help others to do the same. We achieve this by living the Johnsonville Way.

Our owner is famous for saying that, "Other companies use their people to build a business, but at Johnsonville, we use the business to build our people."

We are proud to offer endless opportunities for continued learning and growth here at Johnsonville.

Nearest Major Market: Topeka