Food Safety Quality Manager

Johnsonville, LLC.; Kansas; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly bonus

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

Johnsonville, LLC. is seeking a Food Safety/Quality Coordinator to join the Holton FSQ Team. You will lead the plant’s food safety and quality systems, train staff, and drive continuous improvement across meat and sausage processes.

The role requires a track record of expanding responsibilities, strong leadership, and collaboration with cross‑functional teams to ensure regulatory compliance and SQF audits. This is a full‑time on‑site position in Holton, KS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Food Science, Meat Science or Microbiology).
• Minimum 5 years of quality leadership experience; meat/poultry processing preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, USDA/FDA regulations and animal welfare programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with SAP and data analysis.
• Experience applying Six Sigma/Lean to drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage cross‑functional teams and audits.

Responsibilities

• Foster safety culture and drive continuous improvement, aiming for zero incidents.
• Lead plant FSQ systems and coordinate food safety and quality programs.
• Collaborate across teams to monitor KPIs and drive corrective actions.
• Oversee Animal Welfare systems and regulatory compliance.
• Lead audits (internal, customer, regulatory, SQF) and follow‑up actions.
• Train staff on food safety principles and regulatory requirements.
• Coach and develop FSQ team members and manage external contractors.
• Plan FSQ capital projects and align with network strategies.

Skills

Influential leadership

Food safety

HACCP systems

Regulatory knowledge

Microsoft Suite

Six Sigma

Lean manufacturing

SAP

Data analytics

SPC

Project management

Team leadership

Animal welfare programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

Meat Science

Microbiology

Tools

SAP

Job description

Position Overview

Johnsonville has an opportunity for a Food Safety/Quality Coordinator to join our Holton FSQ Team. Your passion for continuous improvement will support the company in its drive to create a best in world quality culture through leadership and member interaction. This job is perfect for an individual who has a track record of improving and expanding the scope of their responsibilities and wants to continue to grow and be challenged.

Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement, striving for zero IFR year after year
• Promote Johnsonville Culture and work with members to drive strategic continuous improvement efforts tied to food safety and quality risks or incidents in the animal harvest and fresh sausage processes
• Lead the plant food safety and quality system through administration of the written food safety and quality programs, procedures and policies.
• Collaborate with teams to achieve continuous improvement within the food safety and quality performance with key performance metrics, identify trends and process variation and driving corrective actions.
• Lead and administer the facility’s Animal Welfare System and Programs.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including USDA‑FSIS, Federal and State requirements.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to excel at all site internal, customer, regulatory, and SQF audits, ensuring effective preparation, execution, and follow‑up.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply technical acumen applied to meat food safety and quality systems.
• Use your technical expertise to train members on food safety principles, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Actively participate in network‑wide project work as applied to food safety, quality, animal welfare and process related improvements.
• Directly coach and develop Food Safety and Quality team members.
• Lead and manage the performance of third‑party contractors, such as pest control and sanitation providers
• Lead FSQ capital pipeline planning and budget development efforts to align facility investments with network food safety and quality strategies.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology or related field preferred

Experience

• 5 years of experience in a quality leadership role required
• Experience in food required; meat/poultry processing and harvest preferred

Skills

• Proficient at influential leadership and the ability to grow direct and indirect members required
• Knowledge and understanding of food safety, HACCP systems, USDA/FDA, Animal Handling and Welfare programs and regulatory requirements and have established regulatory relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite required
• Understanding of Safe Quality Food program preferred
• Experience with fresh product shelf life and microbiology
• Knowledge of continuous improvement processes (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, etc.)
• Experience working in SAP Business Operating System desired
• Proficient with data management and Statistical Process Control
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Project management and team leadership skills

Benefits and Compensation

Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

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

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.