Senior Food Safety & QA Technologist - 3rd Shift

Smithfield Foods•St Charles, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position plays a vital role in ensuring Smithfield's products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. The role involves ownership of routine sanitation checks, enforcement of HACCP and USDA regulations, and tracking products from start to finish. Responsibilities include evaluating product quality, identifying deficiencies, and developing corrective actions. The expertise of the individual will support plant programs such as pre-op sanitation, temperature monitoring, GMPs, and leaker detection, while working cross-functionally to resolve issues and drive improvements. The dedication to food safety will help deliver trusted products to millions of consumers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in meat science, food science, microbiology, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Solid knowledge of QA principles, food safety, USDA, HACCP, SSOP.
Strong technical expertise in quality and regulatory programs.
Able to read, write, and complete required documentation in English.

Nice To Haves

HACCP and SQF certifications preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including regulatory and customer interactions.
Committed to upholding regulatory, company, and customer standards.
Proficient in problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Skilled in interpreting and writing technical documents, reports, and SOPs.
Able to interpret various instructions (written, oral, diagram, or schedule).
Experienced with monitoring equipment and data interpretation.
Competent in Microsoft Office and other standard business software.

Responsibilities

Ensure products meet all required specifications through regular inspections and in-process checks.
Take immediate action on out-of-spec findings, including pulling product, notifying production, or supporting corrective measures.
Identify issues at the source and contribute to continuous improvement efforts by collecting data, reviewing procedures, and maintaining accurate documentation.
Support the implementation and day-to-day compliance of HACCP plans by monitoring critical control points, verifying records, and ensuring protocols are followed.
Identify trends in food safety data and assist in training team members on maintaining safe, compliant operations.
Ensure compliance with USDA regulations, perform pre-operational sanitation checks, and coordinate resampling and follow-ups.
Work closely with sanitation and QA teams to verify proper execution and follow-through.
Assist in reviewing and updating food safety programs to ensure alignment with current regulations.
Serve as a resource for newer team members by offering guidance and sharing knowledge of FS/QA processes.
Step in to help cover essential tasks or assist the supervisor in delegating responsibilities when needed.