Job Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION:  

Works directly with processing plant manager to ensure compliance with Foster Farms, FSIS/USDA, and customer requirements.  Oversees, executes, and administers the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) programs to ensure the safety, legality, and quality of its products.  This position manages and develops an FSQA Supervisor at the processing plant level to achieve department goals.  This position has the sole in-plant authority to release or retain product on hold for quality or regulatory concerns, thus sound judgment in rendering a product as wholesome or unwholesome is required. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Responsible for: Functioning as primary FSQA leader; Managing and enforcing the implementation, verification and validation of Food Safety programs such as HACCP/SSOP Plans; Ensuring adherence with audit standards such as BRC and Silliker; Managing regulatory relationship with local USDA/FSIS or other regulatory agencies; Retaining product that does not conform to customer agreements, finished product specifications, or legal requirements; Rendering decision for product disposition, including release into commerce

Manage the implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and enforcement of: USDA regulations including the working relationship with local USDA/FSIS; Corporate programs (pest control, allergen, product quality); Any and all product monitoring programs that may have both legal (FSIS requirements) and customer implications

Manage the employee population of that site and its competence in food safety and quality procedures.  This includes the design and execution of training as needed with operations, sanitation, maintenance, and FSQA staff. Promote a food safety culture amongst FSQA staff and production employees.  

Lead pathogen testing root cause investigations in partnership with production management to address processing, sanitation, and maintenance related issues.

Lead investigation regarding quality monitoring defects to determine root cause. In partnership with production management, address manufacturing, mechanical, or formulation issues that led to deficiencies.

In partnership with the site’s production manager, schedule meetings and direct communications with local USDA/FSIS to report non-compliance resolution, as well as Foster Farms response to trending concerns

Evaluate current FSQA programs to established standards and adjust programs to conform with regulatory changes or internal modifications to ensure conformance is relevant. 

Manage and improve as needed, the FSQA data reporting systems, communicating trends and root-cause analysis to senior management for deficiency resolution and process improvement. 

Actively lead projects (FSQA or operations) and activities to modify, retrofit, and improve performance from a food safety and/or quality perspective. This may also include commercialization projects organized by R&D for new products

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

As is often needed, this position is asked to perform tasks over and above the written job description.  These additional functions may include specific projects requested by FSQA managers or directors and often involve extensive data collection for analysis.  Improvements in food safety, product quality, processing efficiency, and animal welfare are examples of such projects.

Qualifications

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelors degree from a 4-year, accredited college or university, preferably in the area of animal or food science or related field

Advanced degree in animal science, food science, food safety or related field preferred

Proficient use of Microsoft including Excel, Word,  and PowerPoint

Requisite – 5+ years of work experience in food processing environment with food safety/quality programs focus

Required – former managerial  experience of salaried supervisory employees

Cross-functional team leadership skills, as well as coaching and mentoring skills

Thorough, practical, and functional knowledge  of USDA/FSIS food safety regulations including current regulations and directives and HACCP/SSOP programs

Detail oriented with analytical aptitude; exposure to Statistical Process Control is beneficial

Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking approach to FSQA program design, implementation, and improvements

Ability to adapt to product changes and commercialization of new products

Ability to work independently without direct supervision and instruction

Strong writing and presentation skills, in order to communicate at all levels throughout the organization

Ability to render sound judgment regarding food safety risks and/or product quality defects

Ability to execute sound judgment regarding communication for product disposition decisions

Preferable – knowledge of pest control practices and sanitation cleaning procedures

Ability to work flexible hours

Ability to travel for business related visits (other plants) or conferences

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Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new employees.