FSQ Manager - Appleton

LaSalle Network; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits from Day 1

6% 401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Job summary

LaSalle Network is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Manager to lead food safety and quality initiatives at a large food manufacturing facility in Appleton, WI. The role focuses on building a culture where food safety is owned across the organization, not just by the FSQ team, and requires strong technical knowledge and leadership to develop teams and drive meaningful change.

You will oversee HACCP, quality management systems, and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance and plant leaders;

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of management experience in food manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Strong food safety and HACCP background.
• Experience in quality management; SAP familiarity preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in manufacturing.
• Change-management and influencing skills to drive safety ownership.
• Ability to translate strategy into operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead FSQ initiatives to strengthen food safety culture.
• Develop and execute strategic food safety and quality plan.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance and plant leaders to establish accountability.
• Lead a team of 3 direct reports across 40-60 employees.
• Embed food safety into day-to-day operations.
• Ensure HACCP, food safety, regulatory, and company standards compliance.
• Oversee quality management systems; SAP familiarity preferred.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality and performance.
• Build relationships and serve as trusted FSQ leader.
• Develop team members through coaching and continuous improvement.

Skills

Food safety leadership

HACCP

SAP familiarity

Team leadership

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science / related

Tools

SAP

Job description

Our client is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Manager to lead food safety and quality initiatives at a large food manufacturing facility in Appleton, WI. This role is ideal for a strong food manufacturing leader who can drive accountability, influence operations, and build a culture where food safety is owned across the organization—not just by the FSQ team. The successful candidate will bring strong technical knowledge along with the leadership skills needed to develop teams, implement strategy, and drive meaningful change across a 500-person manufacturing plant.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Food Safety & Quality initiatives across the manufacturing facility, with a primary focus on strengthening the overall food safety culture.
• Develop and execute a strategic approach to food safety and quality that goes beyond compliance and drives sustainable behavioral and operational change.
• Partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, and other plant leaders to establish shared accountability and ownership for food safety.
• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of 3 direct reports supporting approximately 40-60 employees across the broader FSQ organization.
• Influence employees and leaders across the plant to embed food safety into day-to-day operations and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards.
• Oversee quality management systems and processes, with familiarity with systems such as SAP preferred.
• Identify opportunities to improve food safety, quality, and operational performance and lead initiatives to address gaps.
• Build strong relationships across the plant and serve as a trusted leader and resource for food safety and quality.
• Develop team members through coaching, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 5-7+ years of management experience within food manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree required; ideally in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong background in food safety and HACCP.
• Prior quality management experience; familiarity with systems such as SAP is preferred.
• Significant food manufacturing experience is highly important.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold teams accountable in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong change-management and influencing skills, with the ability to drive food safety ownership across Operations, Maintenance, and the broader plant.
• Experience developing and executing strategies rather than simply managing compliance.
• A proactive, hands-on leader who can influence the floor, build relationships, and create lasting improvements in food safety culture.

Compensation: $140,000 base salary + eligibility to earn a 15% bonus

Benefits: Benefits available Day 1, including a 6% 401(k) match. Relocation assistance is available depending on the candidate. Medical, dental, and vision insurance available.

This is a high-visibility opportunity to make a significant impact at a large manufacturing facility where improving food safety culture is a key business priority. The successful candidate will have strong upward mobility potential, including the opportunity to progress into regional leadership as the organization continues to grow.

LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.