Food Safety Quality Leader (Holton)

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

Job summary

Johnsonville is seeking a Food Safety/Quality Leader in Holton, KS to ensure products meet safety, quality, and consumer expectations. You will review HACCP, SSOP, and SOP documentation, participate in audits, and collaborate with operations, sanitation, and USDA-FSIS personnel to drive compliance.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in biology or microbiology or related field and 2 years in food industry; HACCP/GMP/SSOP knowledge and SAP experience are beneficial. Weekend work may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology or related field preferred.
• 2 years of experience in the food industry preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs and SSOPs preferred.
• Experience with USDA-regulated environments preferred.
• HACCP trained or certification desired.
• SQF Practitioner certification desired.
• Detail-oriented, responsible, and self-motivated.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and follow-up skills.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with SAP desired.

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.

Skills

Food industry experience

HACCP knowledge

GMP knowledge

SSOP knowledge

Leadership potential

Communication skills

MS Office

SAP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Microbiology or related field

Tools

Excel

SAP

Job description

Career Opportunities: Food Safety Quality Lead (Holton) (53843)

Requisition ID53843-Posted -Safety & Quality

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

Skills

• 2 years of experience in the food industry preferred
• 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.