Sr. Food Safety Lead

Schwan's Company; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Schwan's Company in Sioux Falls, SD, is seeking a Senior Food Safety Lead – Night Shift to oversee HACCP programs across designated facilities. You will lead validation, training, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with USDA/FSIS, FDA, and GFSI standards.

Responsibilities include coordinating CCP validation, developing corrective actions, and driving continuous improvement in food safety processes. A strong background in microbiology, sanitation, and preventive controls is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Food Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of progressive food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance experience.
• Experience leading HACCP programs and food safety system implementation.
• HACCP Certification required.
• PCQI certification preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of HACCP principles and regulations (USDA FSIS, FDA).

Responsibilities

• Serve as HACCP Program Coordinator for assigned facilities.
• Lead CCP validation and verification activities, including validation studies.
• Coordinate and deliver HACCP and food safety training programs for plant personnel.
• Provide technical guidance to plant leadership on food safety compliance.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement of food safety programs and procedures.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and R&D teams on lethality validation.

Skills

HACCP

PCQI

Food safety regulations

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Food Safety Lead – Night Shift

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

Our brand-new, 360,000-square-foot Asian-style food manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, SD , is taking shape — and we’re ramping up hiring for key roles. This is your chance to be part of something from the ground up. We’re building a strong, experienced team ready to bring this new site to life and shape its future together.

The Sr. Food Safety Lead is responsible for providing technical leadership and oversight of food safety programs across designated manufacturing facilities. This position leads the development, validation, verification, and continuous improvement of HACCP plans and food safety systems while ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. The Sr. Food Safety Lead serves as a key resource for food safety risk management, microbiological performance monitoring, corrective action programs, and cross-functional food safety initiatives to drive product safety and operational excellence.

What You Will Do:

• Serve as the HACCP Program Coordinator for assigned facilities.
• Develop, maintain, verify, and reassess HACCP plans to ensure compliance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Lead Critical Control Point (CCP) validation and verification activities, including the design and execution of validation studies.
• Coordinate and deliver HACCP and food safety training programs for plant personnel.
• Provide technical guidance and support to plant leadership regarding food safety compliance and best practices.
• Conduct food safety risk assessments for manufacturing processes, raw materials, ingredients, and finished products.
• Identify food safety vulnerabilities and develop corrective actions and mitigation strategies based on risk assessment findings.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of food safety programs, policies, and procedures.
• Support food safety culture initiatives and drive continuous improvement efforts across operations.
• Audit and verify compliance with plant prerequisite programs, including:
• Allergen Control Programs
• Pest Control Programs
• Microbiological Testing Programs
• Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs)
• Traceability Programs
• Environmental Monitoring Programs
• Ensure compliance with USDA, FSIS, FDA, GFSI, customer, and corporate food safety requirements.
• Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends and recommend operational adjustments as needed.
• Partner with Engineering, Research & Development, Operations, and Quality teams to develop and implement lethality validation programs for Ready-to-Eat (RTE) products.
• Lead process risk assessments and validation activities for new products, processes, and equipment.
• Provide technical expertise in food microbiology, sanitation, thermal processing, and preventive controls.
• Evaluate scientific data and research to support food safety decisions and process improvements.
• Serve as a liaison between plant Food Safety & Quality, Microbiology, and Corporate FSQ teams.
• Monitor and analyze pre-operational sanitation performance and microbiological testing results.
• Trend ingredients, in-process, environmental, and finished product microbiological data.
• Investigate adverse trends and develop corrective and preventive action plans to reduce risk and improve performance.
• Lead the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Program for assigned facilities.
• Ensure root cause analyses are completed thoroughly, and corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Track the effectiveness of corrective actions and verify long-term sustainability of improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance food safety systems and operational performance.
• Audit microbiological, chemical, and physical testing procedures to ensure laboratory and plant analysis methods are executed accurately.
• Review food safety-related testing records and documentation for compliance and effectiveness.
• Prepare reports, summaries, and trend analyses for plant leadership and corporate stakeholders.
• Recommend improvements based on data analysis and food safety performance metrics.
• Support Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) program development, implementation, and ongoing compliance.
• Assist with internal audits, external audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of food safety documentation, procedures, and training materials.
• Support preparedness and response activities related to food safety incidents, recalls, and regulatory inquiries.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, R&D, Corporate FSQ, and Regulatory Affairs teams to achieve food safety objectives.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to Food Safety and Quality team members.
• Promote a proactive food safety culture throughout the organization.
• Conduct all activities in a manner consistent with company values, policies, code of ethics, and standards of conduct.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Food Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance experience within the food or beverage manufacturing industry.
• Experience leading HACCP programs and food safety system implementation in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated project management and cross-functional leadership experience.
• HACCP Certification required.
• PCQI certification preferred.
• Additional food safety certifications (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, ASQ, or related) preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of HACCP principles, food safety regulations, and preventive control programs.
• Experience with USDA FSIS HACCP programs and FDA food safety regulations.
• Strong understanding of microbiology, chemistry, sanitation, food processing, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food manufacturing processes and lethality validation programs.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements, technical publications, scientific research, and industry standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, regulatory agencies, customers, and all levels of management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and quality management systems.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

What We Offer:

• The base salary range for this position is $68,000 to $113,000 annually with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus; that is based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to education, skills, work experience, certifications, geography, etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
• Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.
• CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [e-mail] .