Food Safety & Quality Manager

Daybreak Foods; Gaylord (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Daybreak Foods seeks an experienced FSQ Manager to lead food safety, quality, and defense programs across facilities in the region. You will ensure SQF, HACCP, and animal welfare compliance, support regulatory and customer requirements, and drive continuous improvement with training for site personnel.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage audits, data analysis, and vendor certification, and act as a key member of the site management team to uphold the company's food safety

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Quality, Food, Animal or Biological Sciences or equivalent experience.
• Certifications: SQF, HACCP, PCQI, Internal Auditor preferred.
• 2–5 years of management experience and leadership duties.
• 2+ years of experience in raw or ready-to-eat products; egg experience a plus.
• Animal Welfare experience is nice to have but willing to train.
• Hands-on self-starter with strong communication and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure processing operations comply with GMPs, HACCP, and regulations.
• Oversee SQF program maintenance and audit integrity.
• Lead development, implementation, and continual improvement of food safety and quality systems.
• Oversee product testing, environmental monitoring, and audits.
• Collaborate with Animal Welfare and Biosecurity to integrate programs.
• Train processing personnel and FSQ Specialists; support vendor certification.

Skills

Hands-on

Communication skills

Training

Organization

Food Safety Systems

MS Word

MS Excel

Leadership

Flexibility

MS Access

PowerPoint

Outlook

Diversity awareness

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

SQF Certification

HACCP Certification

PCQI Certification

Internal Auditor Certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Summary

Under the direction of the Regional FSQ Manager, the FSQ Manager oversees food safety, quality, and food defense programs at facilities within the assigned area or location. This position also provides guidance and assistance in developing, implementing, and administering animal welfare, site security, and biosecurity programs.

The FSQ Manager ensures required programs and certifications, including SQF, HACCP, and animal welfare, are maintained as directed by the Regional FSQ Manager. This role supports regulatory and customer compliance, communication, continuous improvement, and employee training.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure processing operations comply with company standards, customer requirements, GMPs, HACCP requirements, and applicable USDA, FDA, and other regulations.
• Oversee implementation and maintenance of the SQF program, with authority to take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the SQF system.
• Serve as an integral member of the local site management team.
• Lead the development, implementation, review, maintenance, and continual improvement of food safety and quality systems.
• Oversee product testing, process testing, and environmental monitoring.
• Oversee and conduct audits of processing operations, production areas, animal welfare, biosecurity, and site security.
• Collaborate with Animal Welfare and Biosecurity personnel to integrate programs and audit flocks and feed supply, as applicable, to support animal welfare, egg safety, and feed safety and quality.
• Compile and analyze data to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and support improvements.
• Communicate with the Regional FSQ Manager, site management, contract flock and mill managers, and customers, as applicable, regarding program performance, noncompliance, and process improvements.
• Participate in the Vendor Certification program to ensure vendors used in processing operations are approved.
• Oversee food safety and quality training for processing personnel and FSQ Specialists.
• Support corporate projects as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Quality, Food, Animal or Biological Sciences or equivalent experience is preferred
• Certifications: SQF, HACCP, PCQI, Internal Auditor preferred
• Animal Welfare experience is nice to have but willing to train
• 2 plus years of experience in raw or ready-to-eat products, egg experience a plus
• At least 2-5 years of management experience and leadership duties

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be a hands-on self-starter.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to train stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Thorough knowledge, or ability to attain thorough knowledge, of Food Safety Systems
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to motivate employees to work within Company parameters.
• Ability to work at any Company area sites routinely.
• Willing and able to work a flexible schedule including being on call after normal work hours, weekends, some work from home or extended hours on location as deemed necessary by Management.
• Professionalism in appearance and work habits, self-organization, sanitation, management, teamwork, and techniques for efficient and cost-effective food production are stressed.
• Prefer experience with Microsoft Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to interact with individuals from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Physical Demands

Stand and walk constantly; grip, grasp, push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, lift up to 10 pounds frequently; sit, climb, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Work Environment

Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and water, and chemicals. Temperature is regulated for operations standards. Cooler temperatures occur in specific areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proper personal protective equipment will be required during certain working conditions. Employees are required to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) due to working in a food manufacturing environment (hairnets, clean clothes, etc.).

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.