MFG PLANT SQF PRACTITIONER (Hourly)

Kroger Family of Companies; Anderson (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger Family of Companies is seeking a quality and food safety professional to maintain SQF programs and ensure compliance across the plant. The role emphasizes leadership in safety, quality, reliability, and our Customer 1st strategy, with guidance on risk areas and continuous improvement.

The position requires knowledge of microbiology and experience in a dairy/bakery or food plant, plus formal education in food science or microbiology.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to record testing data.
• Ability to work well with others and communicate issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement in-plant procedures to meet Kroger Manufacturing food safety and quality requirements, including SQF level 3.
• Oversee SQF systems maintenance and certification processes.
• Serve as backup contact for SQF certification bodies and audits.
• Conduct annual in-house SQF self-audits and track status.
• Maintain an action register for audit follow-ups.
• Verify timely completion of food safety training with documentation.
• Provide guidance on identified risks affecting safety or quality.
• Perform project tasks as assigned by facility senior quality leader.
• Adhere to programs, policies, and practices to produce safe, quality foods.
• Support development and maintenance of SQF 2000 systems.
• Align with Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Data recording

Team collaboration

Education

AS/BS in food science or microbiology

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary: Maintain food safety and safe quality food (SQF) programs in the plant. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles. Demonstrate the companys core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and execute in-plant procedures and implement corporate procedures/templates to achieve and sustain compliance with Kroger Manufacturing food safety and quality requirements, including level 3 SQF system requirements
• Oversee compliance with and maintenance of SQF systems through a process that effectively reviews, monitors and reassesses the effectiveness of all elements of the program (e.g., commitment, verification, validation, pre-requisite programs, document control, procedures, training) to ensure ongoing compliance and certification
• Be the sites backup contact for the SQF certification bodies and during certification audits with the certification auditor
• Assist in conducting an annual in-house SQF self-audit using the SQF audit form to review SQF program status, level of participation and commitment at plant level
• Develop and maintain an action register to manage audit follow-ups
• Verify employee food safety training is conducted in a timely manner with proper documentation/verification
• Provide guidance and leadership where potential risks have been identified that could impact food safety or quality
• Perform project related tasks as assigned by facility senior quality leader
• Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF 2000 Systems
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

QUALIFICATIONS

Desired Previous Job Experience:

• Knowledge of microbiology and experience in a dairy/bakery or food plant
• Associates/bachelors degree in the areas of food science or microbiology, dairy/bakery or food science

Minimum Position Qualifications/Education:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to record testing data
• Ability to work well with others and communicate issues