Job Summary
The QA Manager is responsible for overseeing the quality assurance processes within the beef harvesting and processing operations. This role ensures that all products meet industry standards and regulatory requirements, and that processes are executed efficiently and consistently. The QA Manager will lead a team of quality assurance professionals, develop and implement quality control procedures, and work closely with other departments to maintain high standards of food safety and product quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Update, maintain, and implement pertinent regulatory documents, programs and records,, and quality assurance files.
• Serve as liaison to government agencies, audits, and USDA inspectors.
• Communicate and work with customers, suppliers and third-party contractors.
• Enforce and monitor quality, food safety and animal welfare programs.
• Implement and lead a robust Animal Welfare program.
• Work with plant management and customers to successfully resolve customer concerns involving food safety and/or quality.
• Confer with management, customers, and other representatives in the planning, scheduling, coordinating, and enforcing the quality assurance/food safety programs.
• Analyze and interpret food safety data.
• Provide leadership for the Quality Assurance department.
• Prepare and lead a team to execute successful internal and external audits.
• Responsible for crewing, scheduling, and training of quality assurance employees.
• Participate in plant management and operational meetings. 
• Periodically review all HACCP, SSOP, pre-requisite programs to assure regulatory compliance and identify trends and process variations.
• NOTE: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization; these duties are considered marginal.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• 3 years of experience in the meat industry at a supervisory level.
• HACCP certified and demonstrated solid understanding of HACCP, GMP, and SSOPs and product labeling.
• Must be able to utilize universal computer software.
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and communicating in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in the following disciplines: Biology, Microbiology, Food Science, Animal Science, or other biological sciences. Bachelor’s degree in other areas will be considered.
• 5 years of experience in the meat industry at a supervisory level with a minimum of three years’ experience in ground beef.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent working knowledge of the regulatory requirements for meat products.
• Must have practical knowledge of FSIS regulations.
• Must have detailed and practical knowledge in plant sanitation practices.
• Knowledge in the operation of beef slaughter and fabrication, ground beef production, rendering and animal welfare.
• Working knowledge of microbiology, aseptic sampling technique, sampling plans, and laboratory practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and people skills.
• Possess self-motivation with the ability to take direction. Attain a strong leadership capacity with high personal integrity.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants with a disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process can contact Human Resources at the location(s) where you are applying. We participate in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law.