Plant Quality & Food Safety Manager
$85,000–$95,000 year
On-siteMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Job Summary
Lead the plant's Quality Management System and food safety programs, overseeing HACCP, Preventive Controls, GMPs, and environmental monitoring. Serve as the primary contact during FDA, USDA, SQF, and third-party audits while managing root cause investigations and corrective actions. Develop and train quality personnel, establish KPIs, and drive continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Monitor product testing results, analyze trends, and ensure all outputs meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements. Partner with Production, Sanitation, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to build a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of progressive experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance, and food safety
- 5+ years of leadership or management experience
- HACCP
- FSMA Preventive Controls
- GMPs
- SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000
- FDA and USDA regulations
- CAPA and Root Cause Analysis
- Proven experience leading certification, customer, and regulatory audits
- Strong leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and Quality Management Systems
- Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Desired Qualifications
- Knows food safety inside and out but also understands the realities of manufacturing
- Can confidently lead an audit and calmly work through an unexpected food safety issue
- Uses data to make decisions rather than relying on assumptions
- Can hold teams accountable while building strong relationships
- Enjoys developing people and creating a culture of ownership
- Is comfortable walking the floor, identifying risks, asking questions, and getting involved
- Understands that quality isn't just a department—it's part of how the entire plant operates
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