Senior Manager FSQA - Contract Manufacturing

Tyson Foods•Springdale, AR

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This position manages food safety and quality expectations at Tyson Foods’ contract manufacturers. It assesses external partners’ suitability and compliance with Tyson requirements, builds working relationships with partners, and manages conformance to specifications, regulatory requirements, and food safety guidelines. The role addresses food safety and quality issues, makes product disposition decisions, supports innovation and projects, and conducts or oversees routine audits. It serves as a technical resource for the Contract Manufacturing team and supports supply chain flexibility while managing business risk. The role calls for a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and associated risks, collaboration with functions including R&D and Business Unit representatives, and a focus on improving plant performance. Based at Tyson’s World Headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, the position supports domestic co-manufacturing locations and requires on-site work at those facilities up to 40% of the time. It partners with R&D, IPL, Sales, and Business Unit representatives to communicate on-site activities and support business growth. The position reports to the Associate Director of FSQA – External Manufacturing. Travel of up to 40% is required; relocation assistance may be available to eligible candidates. The position requires responsible use of approved AI tools, including protection of sensitive information, compliance with company policies, and validation of AI-generated outputs. As a people leader, the role is expected to support responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved solutions, identify opportunities to improve team performance with AI, and ensure accountability for AI-supported outcomes.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience.
Significant experience in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Bachelor’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; knowledge of Tyson business software programs.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including communication with internal and external partners at varied levels.
Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and maintain consistent engagement focused on results.
Willingness and ability to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Willingness to travel up to 40% and work on-site at co-manufacturing locations up to 40% of the time.
Ability to use approved AI tools responsibly, protect sensitive information, follow company policies, critically evaluate AI outputs, and exercise professional judgment.

Nice To Haves

Management experience in the manufacture of high-risk foods and their processes.
Bachelor’s degree.
Relocation assistance may be available to candidates who qualify under company policy.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic FSQA leadership and risk-based oversight for assigned suppliers, contract manufacturers, and externally manufactured products.
Assess, approve, and monitor external partner suitability through audits, technical reviews, risk assessments, performance data, and corrective action verification.
Set food safety, quality, regulatory, and specification expectations and hold partners accountable for timely, sustainable compliance.
Lead resolution of significant or complex food safety and quality events, including investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, escalation, product disposition, and stakeholder communication.
Apply knowledge of manufacturing processes and associated hazards to identify emerging risks and drive preventive controls and continuous improvement.
Build productive relationships with external partner leadership and cross-functional teams while maintaining independence and rigor in FSQA decisions.
Provide senior-level technical guidance to Contract Manufacturing and Procurement teams and support business decisions that balance growth, service, cost, and risk.
Communicate partner performance, material risks, and recommended actions to senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
Conduct or oversee routine and for-cause food safety and quality audits, and ensure findings are documented, prioritized, tracked, and effectively closed.
Develop performance measures, governance routines, and improvement plans to strengthen partner capability, compliance, and plant performance.
Work on-site at co-manufacturing locations as needed, communicate on-site activities to Tyson business partners, and support business growth.