Assistant QA Manager

Job Summary
The Assistant QA Manager supports the Quality Assurance Manager in overseeing and managing quality assurance activities within the beef harvesting and processing operations. This role assists in ensuring that products meet quality standards and regulatory requirements and supports the QA team in executing quality control procedures. The Assistant QA Manager will help in maintaining high standards of food safety, quality, and compliance throughout the production process.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day activities for the Quality Assurance / Food Safety department.
• Work closely with local and regional USDA/FSIS authorities, customer representatives (if needed), government agencies, and auditors.
• Update, maintain, and implement pertinent regulatory documents and records, product specifications, quality assurance records, and quality assurance personnel records/files.
• Update, maintain and enforce quality programs: HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, SQF; monitor programs and ensure programs are enforced on the floor.
• Responsible for crewing, monitoring, and training of all QA personnel on quality and food safety programs.
• Implement and lead a robust Animal Welfare program.
• Assist with corrective actions and follow up on preventive measures; ensure preventive measures are enforced on the floor.
• Assist with assuring all products produced in the plant meet or exceed customer requirements for quality and food safety and control the disposition of nonconformance.
• Assist with investigation and corrective action responses for customer complaints.
• As needed, confer with management, customers, and other representatives in the planning, scheduling, coordinating, and enforcing the Quality Assurance / Food Safety program in conformance with customer requirements and production schedules.
• Provide leadership for the Quality Assurance / Food Safety department.
• Participate in plant management and operational meetings. Attend meetings in QA Manager’s absence.
• Conduct line meetings with the quality assurance personnel in Harvest and Fabrication.
• 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 18 years of age or older.
• Must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English (reading, writing, speaking).
• HACCP certified or have ability to obtain certification.
• SQF certified or have ability to obtain certification.

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.
• 3 years of experience in Quality Assurance / Food Safety in the meat industry.
• Ability to effectively communicate in Spanish (read, write, and speak).
• Prior use of Infor M3 inventory system.
• Prior lead or supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent understanding of HACCP, GMPs, and SSOPs.
• Must have practical knowledge of FSIS regulations for meat products.
• 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.
• Strong computer skills: ability to use designated programs including Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook), the internet, and ERP systems.

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.

America's Heartland Packing is set to open its doors in early 2025. The 775,000 sq. ft. greenfield project will include a harvest floor, carcass chillers, fabrication area, rendering, further processing area, storage coolers, freezers, and loading docks.

What we offer:

• Competitive total compensation package for you and your family.
• Excellent benefit plan.  Benefits include: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flex Spending Accounts, Voluntary Benefits, PTO, 401k, Long & Short Term Disability, Discount Meat Purchase Program, and more!