Plant Food Safety & QA Manager

Smithfield Foods•Junction City, KS

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Are you a results-driven Food Safety & Quality Assurance professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and knows how to spot risks before they become problems? At Smithfield Foods, you’ll take the lead in ensuring our products—like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous—meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance. As Plant FSQA Manager, you’ll manage all food safety and quality programs at the facility. You’ll lead sanitation checks, enforce USDA and HAACP regulations, track products from start to finish, and implement corrective actions when needed. You’ll also oversee the plant’s quality systems, ensuring everything we produce is safe, consistent, and customer-ready. In this role, you’ll report to both plant and corporate FSQA leadership—driving continuous improvement, team performance, and regulatory excellence. Ready to lead with impact? Join Smithfield and help deliver quality that’s trusted nationwide.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years’ relevant experience in the food industry; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership, required.
Must have the ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.
Possesses hands-on experience with microbiological testing of meat and poultry products, along with a solid understanding of foodborne pathogens, microbiological and limited chemistry testing.
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and SSOP requirements, and familiarity with QMS systems, SAP, and various database and inventory software tools.
Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to address inquiries from regulatory agencies, customers, and internal stakeholders.
Skilled in decision-making, problem-solving, and responding to quality and compliance issues in a timely and effective manner.
Maintains a high standard of documentation and compliance.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with professionalism and adaptability.
Willingness to travel up to 10% and work extended hours or weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

USDA/HACCP Certification
SQF Certified Expert
Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance principles, food science and meat processing, SPC and statistics
Bilingual skills are a valuable asset, allowing you to communicate effectively in diverse, multicultural environments and enhance team collaboration.

Responsibilities

Oversee all food safety, quality, and regulatory programs to ensure USDA/FDA compliance, accurate documentation, and audit readiness.
Lead root cause investigations, implement corrective actions, and maintain strong relationships with USDA inspectors.
Work closely with FSQA and Operations teams to prevent HACCP, SSOP, and product or process failures.
Develop plans, strengthen process controls, and train staff to uphold high standards through continuous improvement initiatives.
Design and manage the facility’s sanitation program, including audits, microbial testing, and performance tracking.
Take prompt, data-driven action to ensure cleanliness and compliance when issues arise.
Lead the development, maintenance, and reassessment of SQF Food Safety and Quality Plans.
Ensure the SQF system stays current, compliant, and well-communicated to all relevant team members.
Manage staffing, schedules, performance reviews, and training for FSQA personnel.
Ensure all responsibilities are covered through cross-training and effective delegation in the absence of key team members.