Meat Safety Supervisor

State of Wisconsin; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 77,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 19.5 days to start

9 paid holidays

Excellent retirement plan

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The State of Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) seeks a Meat Safety Supervisor to lead meat safety inspectors and ensure high standards of food safety across Wisconsin. You will direct daily inspection activities, coach staff, and liaise with management to apply division and bureau policies.

Travel ~50% within the state, with a 12-month probationary period. Applicants should understand regulatory meat product requirements and strive for continuous

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams or supervising employees in a formal or informal setting.
• Experience designing and developing performance measures, reports, and assessments.
• Experience communicating program information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in a regulated industry (retail food establishment, meat processing, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Direct and coach meat safety inspectors; prioritize high-risk processes.
• Evaluate inspector performance and manage controls.
• Communicate food safety information to industry and consumers.
• Collaborate with BMPB management to align daily activities with mission.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Regulated industry experience

Education

Animal Science / Meat Science / Biology / Microbiology / Food Science

Job description

Introduction

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, high quality, dedicated staff we employ.

DATCP currently has an opening for a Meat Safety Supervisor position within the Division of Food and Recreational Safety, Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses.

This is a field based position with routine travel and will be headquartered in Dane County.

Qualifying candidates are not required to live in a county headquarter location. However, reimbursement for commuting to or from the employee’s assigned headquarters is not provided (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, lodging, etc.). Routine travel within an assigned territory and throughout the state for assigned work and emergency response is required.

Employee Benefits: This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes 19.5 days of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan!

By working for Wisconsin State Government, you may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

This posting may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of a Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses’ (BMPB) Regional Manager, this position provides the supervision and leadership to meat safety inspectors in the planning and performance of their daily activities. This includes giving direction, coaching, and support to inspection staff so they can competently conduct inspections and communicate food safety information to industry and consumers. This position acts as the primary liaison between Bureau management staff and inspection staff giving guidance in how to apply principles outlined in the Division and Bureau mission and vision to daily activities. These include directing work activities at establishments by prioritizing those with processes that pose the highest risk of causing foodborne illness or compliance concerns, evaluating inspector performance and reviewing and managing management controls.

Salary Information

The classification of this position is Meat Safety Supervisor, which is in schedule-range 81-03 with a starting pay of $37.00 per hour up to $40.00 per hour based on qualifications.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. A 12-month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan at the time of hire.

Job Details

At DATCP, we strive to deliver efficient and effective programs and services to Wisconsin agriculture, consumers, and businesses. The Department has numerous on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities, unique to each Bureau.

These OJT opportunities include direct experience and practice through collaboration with co-workers/supervisor, peer mentoring, and job-specific training modules.

Conditions Of Employment

DATCP does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the selected applicant being able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.

A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.

Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to provide one’s own transportation for work purposes, is required.

Travel is required for approximately 50% of this position’s duties.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified candidates will have each of the following:

• Experience with formal or informal leadership, or lead worker related activities (establishing operating procedures, assigning and reviewing work of others, training, coaching/mentoring etc.)
• Experience with program/project management including planning, design, and development of performance measures, progress reports and result assessments
• Experience providing technical information or presenting program information to internal and external stakeholders
• Experience working in a regulated industry (retail food establishment, restaurant, product/facility inspections, meat/poultry processing, food processing plants, etc.)

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, highly qualified candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Experience providing technical information or presenting program information including professional presentations, reports, and data analysis to internal and external stakeholders
• Training or education in Animal Science, Meat Science, Biology, Microbiology, Food Science or another related field of study
• Experience serving in a formal supervisory role (including: resolving conflict, coaching, mentoring and empowering employees, evaluating employee performance, hiring, discipline, assigning work, etc.)
• Experience interpreting/applying state and USDA rules and laws governing meat products and meat establishments

Equal Opportunity Statement

DATCP is an Equal Opportunity and Aff…

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program. For complete information on veterans hiring programs that may benefit you, please visit the Employment page on WDVA's website.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply for this position is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026.