Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager

REAL WORK. REAL PEOPLE. REAL FOOD.

Job Title:  Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Company Description: Lorentz Meats has been in operation for 55 years. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality, sustainable meat products to our customers while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in our manufacturing processes. We are currently seeking a Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager to join our team.

Job Summary:

We are recruiting a dynamic Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager. This individual provides leadership, direction and execution of all plant food safety functions to support the company’s food safety goals and ensures compliance with all regulatory agencies. They will ensure all products produced meet or exceed all customer, regulatory and company requirements as they relate to food safety and directs the plant Food Safety department in selecting, developing and motivating food safety team members to achieve organizational goals.

The FSQA Manager will oversee the activity of the FSQA department and staff, developing, implementing, and maintaining a system of quality and reliability for the company’s products. This position includes the maintenance of the company’s SQF system, training, food safety/quality programs, and export programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Hires and trains FSQA staff. Oversees the daily workflow and schedules of the department.
  • Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
  • Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Oversee the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the SQF system, including food safety fundamentals, the food safety plan and the food quality plan as specified in the SQF Code.
  • Oversee the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the quality assurance program to verify production compliance with product specifications.
  • Lead the Company in building a strong food safety culture by collaborating with department supervisors and leads, creating positive relationships with regulatory and auditing authorities, and encouraging production staff.
  • Strive to improve the strength of the SQF program, integrating quality code to the existing food safety structure.
  • Communicate to relevant employees all information essential to ensure effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF system.
  • Hands-on leader, who works alongside their employees to achieve the company’s goals
  • An extensive knowledge of food-related regulations and the applicable regulatory bodies (e.g. – USDA).
  • Communicate with USDA.
  • Maintains compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies. The primary contact for regulatory agencies.
  • Establish, implement and maintain effective training in FSQA related subjects, including SQF system, and ensure existing and new staff have required competencies to carry out appropriate food safety functions.
  • Monitor all FSQA programs, including but not limited to SQF, Organic Certification and Export Verification for effectiveness.
  • Work with management team to develop, improve and test FSQA systems (both food safety and product quality)
  • Coordinate/oversee 3rd party sanitation.
  • Identify, analyze, and resolve issues, defects, recurring problems and other inconsistencies.

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • SQF Practitioner
  • HACCP Certified
  • Proven knowledge and application of food safety/science (experience or education)
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office or related software.

Language Skills:

  • Fluency in English (verbal and written)
  • Bilingual skills (English and Spanish/ are preferred

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to access and navigate the production facility (40 degree).
  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Work Environment: This job operates in a causal office and production environment.  On the production floor – 40 degrees, PPE needed if working/demonstrating with equipment requiring PPE.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is an exempt full-time position.  Hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Occasional weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Education and/or Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Science or field related to the meat industry preferred.
  • Three to five years of experience in the meat industry preferred and in a related field required, with supervisory experience a plus.