Manager, Quality & Food Safety

BHJ USA LLC•Hartwell, GA

About The Position

BHJ USA, LLC., a supplier of fresh and frozen meat blends to the wet and dry pet food industries, is seeking a Manager, Quality & Food Safety to assure consistent production quality. The role develops and enforces good manufacturing practice (GMP) systems, validates processes, and provides documentation. In partnership with the Plant Manager, the position also coordinates, supports, and executes plant safety and environmental activities, initiatives, and programs. The role oversees quality and food safety programs, including quality process validation, audits, customer responses, HACCP, food safety and defense programs, analytical testing equipment, and regulatory contacts. It also coordinates plant safety and environmental compliance, training, inspections, records, PPE programs, incident investigations, and safety committee activities. The position works with plant leadership and other QA managers, and is expected to follow company policies, attendance guidelines, food safety procedures, and PPE requirements.

Requirements

High school education or GED, with 1–3 years of experience or equivalent education and/or experience.
Experience in the meat processing or food industry.
Training in PCQI or food safety experience, such as HACCP, GMP, or Food Defense.
Microsoft Office skills, including Word and Excel.
Service-oriented approach.
Ability to communicate with people across organizational levels.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to treat coworkers with respect.
Valid driver's license.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Must complete pre-employment drug screening.

Responsibilities

Validate quality processes by establishing product specifications and quality attributes, measuring production, documenting evidence, determining operational and performance qualification, and writing or updating quality assurance procedures.
Maintain and improve product quality through product, company, system, compliance, and surveillance audits; investigate customer complaints; and collaborate with management on manufacturing and training methods.
Analyze and prepare responses to customer requests, including audits, quality statements, and new specifications.
Update and maintain HACCP programs and lead scheduled HACCP team meetings.
Calibrate and update in-house analytical testing equipment and communicate with equipment vendors about technical issues and updates.
Develop and maintain a Food Safety/Defense Program that complies with USDA/FDA objectives, including the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Complete Certificate of Analysis (COA) forms.
In consultation with the VP Operations, oversee contact with USDA-APHIS, USDA-FSIS, the State Department of Agriculture, and FDA.
Coordinate group QA initiatives with other QA Managers.
Conduct safety and environmental audits and inspections on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis to ensure compliance and safe plant conditions.
Organize and file safety and environmental records in the plant file system.
Coordinate safety and quality training based on the training schedule and plant requirements.
Administer PPE programs for safety boots, hardhats, hearing protection, LOTO, and related items.
Lead a plant safety committee.
Work with leads, supervisors, and plant management to ensure accident reporting and investigation processes are completed.
Conduct area assessments, task evaluations, and job rotation audits.
Coordinate and support annual OSHA-required activities, such as evacuation drills, respirator training, and hearing testing.
Observe and immediately correct, or recommend a course of action for, routine safety infractions noticed in the plant.
Track, maintain, and promote the plant-specific Safety Gap Analysis, including progress and corrective actions.
In consultation with the Plant Manager, ensure the plant operates in compliance with all laws and regulations.
Update job knowledge by studying trends and developments in quality and safety/environmental management, participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
Adhere to safety guidelines and wear all required PPE.
Adhere to, support, and enforce company policies and procedures.
Comply with company attendance guidelines at the assigned work location.
Comply with food safety and quality programs and procedures to support GFSI and regulatory standards.