SQF PRACTITIONER

Associated-Milk-Producers-Inc.; Blair (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive starting pay

401k

PTO

Short-term disability

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) seeks a dedicated SQF Practitioner to lead food safety fundamentals and maintain SQF/FSMA compliance across our facilities. You will oversee plans, train staff, and drive continuous improvement in safety, quality and regulatory adherence.

The role requires HACCP expertise, SQF training, and 1–3 years in dairy manufacturing, with a focus on GMPs and FSMA. Join AMPI to uphold top safety standards and collaborate with brand leadership.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in dairy science, food science, or related field preferred.
• HACCP certification and SQF Systems practitioner training within 6 months of employment.
• One to three years of relevant work experience preferred.
• Experience with GFSI, FSMA, HACCP and GMPs as they relate to food safety programs.
• Technical knowledge of the dairy industry preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Food Safety Fundamentals as outlined in the SQF code.
• Maintain, verify, and validate the Food Safety Plan per SQF code and FSMA.
• Oversee the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the SQF Code and FSMA requirements.
• Take action to maintain the integrity of the SQF and FSMA food safety plans, including annual reviews.
• Communicate essential information to personnel to ensure effective implementation of the food safety plans.
• Verification and Validation activities are the responsibility of the SQF Practitioner.
• Establish a frequency schedule for verifying and validating programs like Pre-Requisite Programs, CSPs, and CCPs.
• Schedule and conduct internal audits and SQF audits.
• Participate in handling, investigating, and resolving food safety complaints.
• Follow GMP, safety, and plant policies; manage the training program for competencies.
• Conduct monthly meetings on SQF implementation and maintenance.
• Build partnerships with brand owner leadership to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Be competent to implement and maintain HACCP-based food safety plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

HACCP knowledge

FSMA familiarity

GFSI familiarity

SQF understanding

Education

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

HACCP certification

SQF Systems practitioner training

Job description

AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation’s American-type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative’s award-winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co‑op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co‑op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled cheesemakers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:

• All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.
• This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities.
• Lead the development and implementation of Food Safety Fundamentals as outlined in the SQF code.
• Maintain, verify, and validate the Food Safety Plan as outlined in the SQF code and FSMA.
• Oversee the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the SQF Code and FSMA requirements.
• Take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the SQF and FSMA food safety plans. This includes initiating an annual review by senior management, documenting all changes to the food safety plans, and validating those changes.
• Communicate to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the food safety plans.
• Verification and Validation activities are the responsibility of the SQF Practitioner.
• The SQF Practitioner will establish a frequency schedule and methods for verifying and validating the following programs:
  • Pre‑Requisite Programs (review and sign‑off)
  • Critical Food Safety and Quality Limits
  • Preventative and Process Controls
• Monitoring Activities for:
  • Pre‑Requisite Programs
  • Critical Control Points
  • Critical Quality Points
  • Other Food Safety Programs
  • Preventative and Process Controls
• Scheduling and Conduction of Internal Audits.
• Scheduling and Conduction of SQF Audits.
• Active participation in handling, investigating, and resolving food safety complaints.
• This position must follow, at all times, all GMP, safety, and other plant policies and procedures.
• Responsible for managing the training program to ensure the necessary competencies for specific job duties are being documented and implemented.
• Provide appropriate training for personnel, carrying out the tasks essential to the effective implementation of the SQF system, and the maintenance of food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct and document meetings on a monthly basis on matters impacting the implementation and maintenance of the SQF system.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with brand owner leadership teams to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build a partnership with brand owner leadership teams, ensuring best‑in‑class safety, quality, service, and cost performance.
• Be competent to implement and maintain HACCP‑based food safety plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
• Bachelors’ degree in dairy science, food science, or a biological science or related field preferred.
• Must obtain HACCP certification and Implementing SQF Systems practitioner training course within 6 months of employment.
• One to three years of relevant work experience preferred.
• Experience with GFSI, FSMA, HACCP and GMP’s as they relate to food safety programs.
• Technical knowledge of dairy industry is preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing is a plus.

BENEFITS/REWARDS

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short‑term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military service members, veterans, and qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.