Food Safety QA & Sanitation Director

Company: Smithfield Foods
Location: Tar Heel
Posted on: September 21, 2023

Job Description:

Your OpportunityAs part of our FS/QA team, you would conduct routine sanitation checks, ensuring that HAACP and USDA regulations are strictly enforced. Providing technical expertise to track product from start to finish, and develop corrective actions when needed. You will be responsible for ensuring that we are able to safely deliver the best Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, or any of our product brands to customers and consumers. The Director of Plant Sanitation, Food Safety, and Quality Assurance is responsible for auditing current operational procedures and implementing new/revised procedures to ensure the facility remains in regulatory compliance with the USDA's Code Federal Regulations, Policies, Directives and Facility Notices. They will work very closely with the Plant manager to ensure the facilities are utilizing the most cost effective, scientifically defendable technologies in the production of the Company's products. They will direct the activities of Food Safety and Quality Assurance Managers who will have responsibilities over the plant food safety and quality assurance activities. They will also provide operational training/auditing in their respective areas of expertise. The position will also be responsible to drive continuous improvement and provide leadership to support plant and company objectives. Salary Range $114,500 - $167,750 Core ResponsibilitiesCompliant Food Safety System
Ensure facility's food safety system is scientifically defendable and in full compliance with the USDA Code of Federal Regulations, policies, directives and facility notices.
Audits the facility at least 3 times per fiscal year in 3 key areas:
Written policies.
Enforcement and Implementation of the written policies in the production environment
Accuracy and thoroughness of regulatory reports.
Author, review and update food safety policies to ensure compliance with USDA and FDA Regulations; customer contract business requirements; Safe Quality Foods 2000 System Level 3 Code; and corporate direction.
Quality Assurance
Develops and implements strategies and procedures related to quality assurance of Smithfield products.
Oversees day to day quality related activities and manages staff within assigned areas of responsibility.
Performs assigned technical tasks/duties associated with quality processes and procedures.
Provides leadership and decision making in managing situations and issues relative to quality.
Interfaces with and provides technical support and decision making to appropriate functions and employees to assure regulatory compliance, and quality of Smithfield products.
Manages consumer response to quality issues.
Sanitation System Compliance
Accountable for verifying that all Sanitation activities are of sound design, are performed as intended, and are properly documented - thus ensuring the facility is being cleaned properly and has the ongoing performance evaluations required to prove they have produced safe and wholesome products that also meet the company's sales and marketing goals.
Makes defendable decisions to ensure USDA regulatory and company objective compliance, without resulting in unjustified decreases in operational productivity or efficiency.
Ensures low incidence of pre op NRs, shelf life failures, and microbial swabbing failures while scoring well on internal and external sanitation audits.
Conducts regular meetings with the plant's sanitation service provider, plant management and/or USDA to discuss sanitation findings.
Training and Leadership
Direct and manage the activities of the Sanitation team and Food Safety and Quality Assurance Managers who will each have oversight responsibilities for their respective teams.
Direct and support managers they are responsible for providing training to the sanitation, food safety, and quality assurance staff and production supervisors, thus ensuring the highest standard of food safety practices are met.
Areas of expertise for training include but are not limited to: smokehouse calibration and operations, sanitary equipment design; listeria harborage identification; and export product regulatory requirements.
Provide support, as necessary, for the facility during customer audits or regulatory assessments.
Provide functional leadership to support department and plant objectives.
Drive continuous improvement methodologies to instill a proactive culture within the facility
Research
Continually researches and monitors the "media" for emerging industry issues by reviewing the web; published scientific documents and attending workshops.
Identify and implement cost effective, scientifically supportable solutions, thus mitigating the negative impact of an emerging industry problem.
Utilize current scientific learnings and regulatory information to aid, support, and modify policies so they are maintained at the highest/current knowledge level.
Data Analysis
Uses scientific principles to analyze, interpret and evaluate in-process analytical data and author and develop "recommended system improvements" which are cost effective and scientifically supportable.
Uses various statistical processes to accurately analyze data, including qualitative, quantitative and microbiologically based data.
Data analysis will be performed on a continuous basis to ensure potential trending is identified and to assist Operations in troubleshooting problematic systems or departments etc.
Utilizes data to update Corporate Policies when applicable.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned. QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions .
Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university in Food/Meat/Biological/Animal Science/Ag Business or related field and 10 years' experience in a food safety/quality assurance/plant operations role with a minimum of 5 years in fresh or processed meats industry; required.
HACCP and SQF 2000 system certified.
Experience with smokehouse calibration/operation; SQF 2000 Level 3 code expert; sanitary equipment design; export product regulatory requirements; food defense.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Minimum of 7 years' experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
Proficiency in food safety and quality, food manufacturing processes, technologies or other relevant areas of responsibility
Relevant experience with government regulatory requirements in food processing (USDA, FDA, etc) is required.
Demonstrated experience using a full range of continuous improvement tools and fundamentals to drive results.
Able to document expertise in design & execution of Quality/technical work.
Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office and other similar software applications.
Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
Must have the ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.
Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.
Must be able to bend, stoop, stand, climb, reach and lift.
Various temperatures from 0-- to over 100-- Fahrenheit can be experienced based on the location within the facility.
Walking surfaces that are generally wet; moving equipment parts and forklifts.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Provides leadership and guidance to employees in the Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Sanitation Departments.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and assisting in providing appropriate resolutions.
Career BenefitsTo learn more about Smithfield's benefits, visit smithfieldfoods.com/careerbenefits.Why Work at Smithfield Foods? We are committed to meeting our employees' needs, addressing their concerns and helping them enjoy rewarding careers with our company. PEOPLE MATTERWith more than 60,000 jobs globally, our employees drive our success. We strive to create a fair, ethical and rewarding work environment.GROWTH & DEVELOPMENTWorking at Smithfield isn't just a job - it's the foundation for a lifelong career with training designed to help you advance professionally.BENEFITSOur people matter. That's why we offer excellent, comprehensive benefits packages to our full-time employees.SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGESustainability is ingrained in our culture and guides how we operate. We believe in innovating for the future.About Smithfield Foods Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly--" and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield -- , Eckrich -- and Nathan's Famous -- , among many others. For more information connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. EEO/AA Information Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

Keywords: Smithfield Foods, Fayetteville , Food Safety QA & Sanitation Director, Executive , Tar Heel, North Carolina