Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager

Role Summary

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Quality Assurance (QA) and Food Safety Manager to lead our food safety and quality programs at our state-of-the-art meat processing facility. As a company committed to strong leadership, a positive culture, and operational excellence, we are proud to maintain an AA BRC certification.

Reporting to the Quality Assurance Director, the QA & FS Manager will oversee daily QA operations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with regulatory and customer standards. This role manages a team of direct and indirect reports and plays a key role in delivering safe, high-quality products our customers can trust. This is a full-time, first-shift position offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative and purpose-driven environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive, and other duties may be assigned.

· Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of food safety and quality programs, including HACCP, BRC compliance, and regulatory USDA standards.

· Oversee quality metrics, customer complaints, and non-conformance programs to drive continuous improvement.

· Support cross-functional initiatives including R&D projects, new equipment commissioning, and process improvements.

· Maintain accurate documentation, product specifications, and labeling compliance.

· Analyze quality and environmental data to identify trends and ensure standards are met.

· Collaborate with Sanitation and Maintenance teams on equipment cleaning and validation.

· Conduct internal audits and support external audits of co-packers and suppliers.

· Train and support production staff to uphold food safety and quality expectations.

· Lead and develop QA team members through clear communication and performance management.

· Prepare and lead third-party and regulatory audits

· Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for quality deviations or customer complaints.

· Promote a culture of food safety and continuous improvement throughout the facility.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· A Bachelor of Science Degree (Food science or meat science preferred)

· 3 to 5 years of related experience in a manufacturing setting and 2 years of supervisory experience. Meat processing experience preferred.

· Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

· Effective communicator with excellent presentation, writing, and interpersonal abilities.

· Team-oriented with a positive, respectful, and customer-focused approach.

· Highly organized with attention to detail and strong time management.

· Able to lead projects, meet deadlines, and work under pressure

· Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced with statistical data analysis tools

· Familiar with GFSI standards; BRC knowledge is a plus.

· High integrity, ethics, and results-driven mindset

CERTIFICATIONS:

· HACCP certified, preferably meat HACCP

· BRC/SQF/ISO certification knowledge or internal auditing training

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Office and plant-floor environment; standing for extended periods may be required.

· Exposure to cold and warm temperatures, noise, and raw meat handling areas

NUESKE’S CULTURE ELEMENTS:

At Nueske’s, we share basic Culture Elements. By design, they are simple and straightforward and provide the foundation for how we do business and treat each other.

• Communicate Effectively
• Be Caring
• Be Engaged
• Be Quality Minded
• Be Responsible
• Share the Why

Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats provides equal opportunity in all our employment practices to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, layoff, return from layoff, training, and social, and recreational programs. All such employment decisions will be made based upon the merits of the employee/application and without unlawfully discriminating on any prohibited basis.