Food Safety Quality Manager

Johnsonville Sausage, LLC; Watertown (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly bonus

401(k) match

Medical insurance

Dental + vision

Flexible spending

Disability insurance

Adoption assistance

Parental leave

Job summary

Johnsonville Sausage, LLC in Watertown, WI is seeking a Food Safety/Quality Coordinator to join our FSQ team. You will lead plant food safety and quality systems, promote Johnsonville culture, and drive continuous improvement across processes in meat production.

The ideal candidate has a track record of expanding responsibilities, at least 5 years in a food safety/quality leadership role, and a strong understanding of HACCP, USDA/FSIS regulatory requirements, and quality audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science or related field preferred.
• 5 years of leadership experience in food safety/quality.
• Experience in meat/poultry processing and harvest preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP, USDA/FSIS, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant food safety and quality systems, programs, policies.
• Drive continuous improvement and corrective actions.
• Prepare for and manage audits (internal, customer, regulatory, SQF).
• Coach and develop FSQ team members.

Skills

Leadership

HACCP

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Six Sigma/Lean

Cross-functional teamwork

Regulatory relationships

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Tools

SAP

Redzone

Microsoft Office

Job description

Career Opportunities: Food Safety Quality Manager (53943)

Requisition ID53943-Posted09/22/2026-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

Johnsonville has an opportunity for a Food Safety/Quality Coordinator to join our Watertown 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
• Lead the plant food safety and quality system by administering programs, procedures, and policies while promoting Johnsonville culture and driving strategic continuous improvement in response to food safety and quality risks or incidents within animal harvest and fresh sausage processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to monitor key food safety and quality performance metrics, identify trends and process variation, and drive effective corrective actions and sustained improvement.
• Lead and administer the facility’s Animal Welfare System and Programs.
• Ensure 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 in relation 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
• 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 food safety and quality leadership role required
• Experience in food required; meat/poultry processing and harvest preferred

Skills

• Demonstrated 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. Emphasis on prior USDA- FSIS facility experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite required
• Possesses a Certification of Global Food Safety Initiative Standards [Safe Quality Food program preferred]
• Experience analyzing fresh product shelf life and microbiology preferred
• Knowledge of continuous improvement processes (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, etc.)
• Experience with digital document systems - SAP Business Operating System and Redzone preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving 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.

• Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match.
• Affordable medical, dental and vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Disability and life insurance
• 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.

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.