Plant Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

Smithfield Foods•Sioux City, IA

About The Position

The Plant Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager leads food safety and quality programs at a Smithfield facility, ensuring products meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. The role oversees sanitation checks, USDA and HACCP compliance, product traceability, corrective actions, and plant quality systems. It works with FSQA and Operations teams to prevent process failures and drive continuous improvement. The manager reports to plant and corporate FSQA leadership and is accountable for team performance and regulatory excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years of relevant food-industry experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
Ability to complete applicable forms in English, including reading and writing in English.
Hands-on experience with microbiological testing of meat and poultry products.
Knowledge of foodborne pathogens, microbiological testing, and limited chemistry testing.
Comprehensive knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and SSOP requirements.
Familiarity with QMS systems, SAP, and database and inventory software tools.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for addressing regulatory agencies, customers, and internal stakeholders.
Decision-making, problem-solving, and timely response skills for quality and compliance issues.
High standards for documentation and compliance.
Ability to work professionally and adaptably in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Willingness to travel up to 10% and work extended hours or weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

USDA/HACCP certification.
SQF Certified Expert.
Knowledge of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, SPC, and statistics.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee 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 relationships with USDA inspectors.
Work with FSQA and Operations teams to prevent HACCP, SSOP, product, and process failures.
Develop continuous improvement plans, strengthen process controls, and train staff.
Design and manage the facility sanitation program, including audits, microbial testing, and performance tracking.
Lead the development, maintenance, and reassessment of SQF Food Safety and Quality Plans.
Manage FSQA staffing, schedules, performance reviews, and training.
Ensure responsibilities are covered during team-member absences through cross-training and delegation.
Perform other duties as assigned.