MFG PLANT SR QUALITY LEADER -BAKERY

Kroger Family of Companies; Anderson (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger Family of Companies is seeking a Food Safety Leader to oversee sanitation, GMPs, and quality across manufacturing, storage, and distribution of food and non-food products. You will train staff, manage audits, and ensure SQF compliance while driving continuous improvement and capital projects.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a related field, PCQI certification, and 5+ years in QA. Strong leadership, data analysis, and a commitment to safety are essential in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, or related field.
• PCQI certification and knowledge of preventive controls.
• SQF and GFIS related program certifications preferred.
• 5+ years in food/beverage quality assurance or related lab work.
• Ability to read and interpret scientific, financial, and regulatory documents.
• Statistical process control concepts applied to quality programs.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking with root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in food safety, sanitation, product quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate inspections, audits, and readiness across plant operations.
• Ensure GMPs, pest control, and preventive controls are consistently followed.
• Lead SQF, GMP, FSMA, and food safety program trainings annually.
• Oversee record keeping, validation of controls, and lab/production verification.
• Manage change control and risk assessment processes; drive CAPAs.
• Budgeting involvement and identification of key capital projects.
• Analyze data for trends and proactive decision making; support QA staff.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Root Cause Analysis

Analytical thinking

Statistical process control

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or related field

Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification

SQF practitioner certification

GFIS related program certification

Job description

Provide food safety leadership to ensure compliance with federal, state, Kroger food safety, and quality requirements as they relate to the manufacturing, storage, and distribution of food and non-food products. Ensure a clean, safe manufacturing facility and necessary training, development and proactive solutions for lab techs, sanitation crew, facility management and hourly associates on food safety and sanitation programs andprocesses. Develop procedures, inspect, and coordinate all facility and grounds cleaning and sanitation functions. Support plant safety and environmental sustainability initiatives, as well capital projects and Total Productive Maintenance activities. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership in areas of food safety, sanitation,product quality standards and related regulations and oversee management of these areas at all times

• Serve as liaison for governmental inspections, participate in corporate compliance inspections/audits, & lead effort to maintain audit readiness

• Maintain plant sanitationthrough environmental/product testing & physical inspections

• Ensure Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are followed & pest control program compliance byleadingroutine walkthroughs & supporting food safety/quality initiatives

• Ensure Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, Hazard Analysis & Risk-based Preventive Controls, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, allergen programs, formulations, & finished product consistently meet specification

• Train & resource Quality Assurance staff

• Ensure effective annual training of Safe Quality Foods (SQF), GMPs, Food Safety Modernization Act,& Food Safety Programs

• Prepare/update plant work instructions and verify record keeping is timely and accurate/meets necessary regulations

• Ensure all records are completed/approved for preventive controls, laboratory, sanitation, production, & verification checks

• Ensure receiving procedures for incoming/outgoing ingredients adhere toquality/safety standards

• Investigate consumer comments & support resulting action plans

• Assist Corporate Food Technology with product development/audits & calculation of raw materials

• Provide production with continuous improvement support

• Lead investigations of non-conforming events driving to root cause(s) & effective resolution

• Manage change control & hold programs to enable risk assessment & decisions

• Participate in the annual budgeting process & identify key capital projects

• Perform data analysis to identify trends or find leading indicators to enable proactive decisions

• Coordinate factory & external lab testing of samples; generate Certificate of Analysis

• Manage all site analytical & micro activities, ensuring Good Laboratory Practices are followed

• Provide feedback to suppliers to improve relationships & resolve quality issues

• Assist management in all Safe Quality Food policies & requirements

• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, & ongoing improvement of the SQF Systems

• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety & Quality Principles

• Supervise & coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews/provide feedback

• Ability to work cooperatively in high paced and sometimes stressful environment

• Ability to manage conflict in a reasonable, nonconfrontational and cooperative manner

• Ability to act with honesty and integrity regarding customer and business information

• Ability to follow directions and seek assistance when necessary to resolve customer and business issues

• Provide support and assistance through direct interaction with minors, individuals with special needs, and/or older adults

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum

• Bachelors degree in food science, microbiology, or related field

• Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification

• GFIS related program certification;SQF practitioner certified preferred

• 5+ years of food/beverage quality assurance or relatedlab experience

• Ability to read, analyze, & interpret scientific/technical journals, financial reports, & legal documents

• Ability to apply statistical process control concepts.

• Strong analytical & critical thinking skills (Root Cause Analysis)

Desired

• Thorough knowledge of food safety & microbiological concepts

• Plant QA Assistant Manager or QA Supervisory experience