Food Safety & QA Technologist

Smithfield Foods•Saint James, MN

1d•$19 - $29

About The Position

The Food Safety & QA Technologist is part of Smithfield’s Food Safety & Quality Assurance team and helps ensure products meet quality and food safety standards. The role performs routine sanitation and product checks, enforces HACCP and USDA requirements, tracks products through production, identifies issues, and supports corrective actions. The technologist monitors quality in their assigned area by grading products and documenting results, as well as overseeing sanitation, temperatures, GMPs, and other controls. The position works with production teams to resolve issues, investigate root causes, improve processes, and support quality programs through training and performance assessment. The work takes place in office and plant settings.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required; educational requirements may be waived at the Company's discretion for internal candidates with 4 or more years of company experience.
Ability to complete required forms in English, including reading and writing in English.
Knowledge of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, and USDA regulations.
Ability to create, interpret, and maintain technical documents, reports, and manuals.
Effective written and verbal communication across teams and stakeholders.
Experience using monitoring equipment, analyzing data, and responding to regulatory or customer inquiries with evidence-based decisions.
Proficiency with office software and ability to interpret and follow written, oral, and visual instructions.
Ability to perform the essential job functions, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Frequently able to stand for prolonged periods; walk; handle or feel objects; reach; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree.
Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining a respectful, approachable, team-oriented attitude and fostering strong working relationships and a positive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

Conduct routine process, metal detection, cooking, and chilling inspections to verify products meet quality standards.
Identify and act on out-of-spec products, interpret customer specifications, and collaborate with teams to resolve issues.
Address quality deficiencies, identify root causes of failures, and support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and reduce waste.
Support QA programs, including training and specification reviews.
Help develop and enforce HACCP programs, monitor critical control points, and ensure food safety protocols are followed.
Ensure USDA regulatory requirements are met and assist with updating food safety documentation.
Perform pre-operational sanitation checks and follow up on cleaning and sampling procedures.
Report food safety issues, recommend corrective actions, and support plant training on deficiencies.
Step in for or delegate responsibilities in the absence of key personnel, as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.