SQF PRACTITIONER (31592)

MEATS BY LINZ INC•Hammond, IN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The SQF Practitioner is the designated management representative for the development, implementation, verification, validation, and maintenance of the site's Food Safety and Quality Management System. The role ensures compliance with the SQF Food Safety Code, HACCP requirements, USDA-FSIS regulations, and customer requirements, promotes a strong food safety culture, and serves as the primary liaison for SQF certification activities.

Requirements

HACCP Certification.
Certified SQF Practitioner or ability to qualify as SQF Practitioner.
Minimum 3-5 years of experience in food manufacturing, meat processing, or food safety management.
Thorough understanding of the SQF Food Safety Code, HACCP principles, USDA-FSIS regulations, GMPs and SSOPs, Food Defense and Food Fraud requirements, and Root Cause Analysis/CAPA methodology.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
Ability to speak and write in English.
Communicate quality standards and expectations with confidence, clarity, and professionalism.
Strong leadership, people management, and conflict resolution skills.
Detail-oriented and effective in a fast-paced, cold/wet environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and QA documentation systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as the designated SQF Practitioner for the facility.
Maintain compliance with SQF certification requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
Manage the development, implementation, verification, validation, review, and continuous improvement of the Food Safety and Quality Management System.
Ensure food safety programs, procedures, and records remain current, effective, and audit-ready.
Communicate food safety expectations and requirements throughout the organization.
Lead the HACCP team and maintain the HACCP plan, hazard analyses, and validation studies.
Verify CCP monitoring, corrective actions, and record review.
Reassess the HACCP plan annually and after any process, product, or regulatory change.
Manage and oversee GMP, SSOP, Food Defense, Food Fraud Prevention, Recall & Traceability, Allergen Management, Supplier Approval, Environmental Monitoring, Pest Management, Calibration, and Internal Audit programs.
Verify program effectiveness through audits, inspections, and trend analysis.
Prepare and lead SQF certification, customer, USDA, and third-party audits.
Develop corrective actions for audit findings and verify effectiveness.
Maintain audit records, supporting documentation, and evidence.
Serve as the primary contact during food safety inspections and certification audits.
Lead root cause analysis and CAPA for deviations, complaints, and nonconformances.
Track corrective actions to closure and verify effectiveness.
Drive continuous improvement using audit, trend, and complaint data.
Develop and deliver food safety training programs.
Promote and strengthen the company's food safety culture.
Ensure employees understand their food safety responsibilities and regulatory requirements.
Maintain approved supplier and vendor programs, including documentation, audits, specifications, and certifications.
Support raw material and finished product verification and ensure product testing programs are effective and compliant.
Maintain food safety records, document control, and version integrity.
Prepare and lead management review meetings and report system performance to senior management.
Ensure records remain complete, accurate, and audit-ready.