Job Description

NO C2C or SPONSORSHIP OF ANY KIND

LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY

Company Overview:

A nationally recognized producer and distributor of food products is seeking a driven and experienced professional to oversee quality and food safety operations at its manufacturing site in southern Wisconsin. This organization manufactures both branded and private-label products and is known for its commitment to excellence in food safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Position Summary:

This leadership role is part of the plant’s senior team and is responsible for guiding quality assurance and food safety initiatives in alignment with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. The Quality & Compliance Manager ensures consistent product integrity, leads quality personnel, and maintains facility certifications and audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise, schedule, and train quality team members; oversee timekeeping and attendance records.
• Provide performance feedback and coach team members toward professional growth.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with plant leadership to promote quality-focused operations.
• Implement and continuously improve quality assurance programs, including HACCP, FSMA, and environmental monitoring plans.
• Conduct internal audits and mock recall exercises to validate traceability systems.
• Coordinate with leadership across multiple sites to align and standardize quality best practices.
• Manage routine testing and inspection processes for raw materials, in-process, and finished goods.
• Act as point of contact for third-party audits, including regulatory and customer inspections.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) implementation.
• Partner with Procurement to assess ingredient and supplier risks under FSMA and FSVP guidelines.
• Monitor departmental budget, identify cost-saving opportunities, and reduce process waste.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in food manufacturing quality control.
• Deep working knowledge of food safety systems including GMPs, SOPs, SSOPs, HACCP, and FSMA regulations.
• Experienced in managing relationships with USDA, FDA, SQF, and other relevant audit bodies.
• Strong record of regulatory compliance across food safety touchpoints such as allergen management, label claims, and traceability.
• Certified or able to become certified in SQF implementation.

Preferred Background:

• Familiarity with cheese production or dairy-based product lines.
• Exposure to lean principles, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Certifications in FSVP or Preventive Controls preferred.

Other Required Skills:

• Strong leadership with a hands-on, coaching approach.
• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.
• Effective communicator—written and verbal—across multiple levels of the organization.
• Skilled in technical documentation and audit preparation.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative management style.

Working Conditions:

• Combination of office and manufacturing environments.
• Regular standing, walking, and communication in both controlled and production areas.
• Must be comfortable working in a warm, humid, and fast-paced setting.

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