Job Summary

The Corporate Food Safety Manager oversees the development and implementation of Wayne-Sanderson Farms food safety system with particular attention to the identification and prevention, reduction, & elimination of microbiological hazards.  This role collaborates across functions (QA, R&D, Operations, Sales) to ensure proper design, implementation, validation/verification, monitoring, and maintenance of total food safety system.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise, advice and recommendations on developing protocols and procedures for routine product sampling and testing, challenge studies, and shelf-life studies as well as current microbiological and chemical (including pesticide analysis) laboratory testing methodologies ensuring safe, high quality product for our customers
• Partner with internal departments on the implementation and validation of microbiological interventions and the development and maintenance of  of efficient Quality Assurance and Food Safety procedures for respective areas helping to mitigate risk and in compliance with internal and external requirements
• Provide technical advice to internal departments (e.g. R&D, Operations, Quality Assurance, atc.) on the control of microbiological hazards and validation of effectiveness of new processes to minimize/ eliminate microbiological hazards
• Conduct process and plant audits for sanitation, GMP, and food safety practices; identify opportunities for improvement and communicate to appropriate personnel
• Work with the QA & Food Safety Business Analyst(s) to generate records and/ or reports of trials, validations, and routine testing
• Stay abreast of Federal and other applicable regulations as related to HACCP, food safety, and public health, working with the plant Food Safety Teams to monitor and track microbiological and/or chemical trends, implementing corrective actions and preventive measures as needed
• Interact with intervention, ingredient, and equipment suppliers in order to understand their capabilities and how those would be implemented into Wayne-Sanderson Farms processes and/or products
• Represent Wayne-Sanderson Farms to customers, regulatory agencies, and industry peers in discussions of food safety program
• Identify opportunities for improvement, develop improvement and lead or participate in the implementation of improvement
• Mentor, train and cross train team members providing feedback in their successes and opportunities for improvement
• Wear and ensure others wear all personal protective equipment in areas where mandatory supporting a zero-accident culture
• Perform other related duties as directed

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) with HACCP certification preferred
• Strong computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with ability to input and retrieve data and identify errors
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance/ food safety requirements and ability to apply communicating technical processes in an easily understandable format to all levels of the company
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment using excellent organizational skills and precise attention to detail.
• Must possess a strong customer-centric attitude, high energy level and a strong sense of urgency
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (verbal and written) internally to all levels of the organization and with external vendors and regulatory bodies.  
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in a dynamic and complex environment to meet deadlines and daily requirements.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain a productive and committed work effort, meeting deadlines and managing workload.

Education

The position requires a Bachelors' degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology or other related discipline from an accredited institution; Masters' degree preferred

Experience

The position requires a minimum three (3) years’ experience in a Quality Assurance management role, with five (5) years of microbiological laboratory experience, two (2) years working in the poultry industry; poultry / meat processing experience, demonstrated leadership experience with a minimum of two (2) years supervising a team in leading a team including enforcing policy adherence, conflict resolution and the ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office and Manufacturing plant

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office or processing plant environment.  Office duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Processing plant duties include moving about the plant to review/ assess areas or processes. Ability to travel up to 75%. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

• As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Wayne-Sanderson does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.