Yield Specialist Meat Production

Department: Quality Assurance

Reports To: QA Manager / Director of Quality

Location: Production Facility – Swedesboro, NJ

Rastelli Foods Group is a leading provider of premium protein products, supplying top-quality beef, pork, poultry, and seafood to foodservice, retail, and e-commerce customers nationwide. With a commitment to excellence, food safety, and innovation, Rastelli Foods Group operates state-of-the-art processing facilities and maintains strict adherence to USDA, FDA, and HACCP standards.

We are dedicated to delivering exceptional products while fostering a culture of integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

The QA Yield Specialist is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and improving product yield within a meat production environment. This role ensures raw materials are processed efficiently while maintaining strict compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, and company quality standards.

This position serves as a key link between Quality Assurance and Production, working to reduce waste, improve profitability, and maintain product integrity.

• Track and monitor daily production yields across departments (cutting, trimming, portioning, packaging)
• Analyze raw material usage versus finished product output
• Investigate yield variances and determine root causes
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly yield performance reports
• Monitor trim loss, rework, and product giveaway

• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, and GMP standards
• Perform in-process quality checks to ensure yield improvements do not compromise food safety or product specifications
• Review and verify production records, including weights, batch documentation, and product specifications
• Support internal and external audits

• Partner with Production and Operations to implement yield improvement initiatives
• Recommend strategies to reduce waste and improve cutting efficiency
• Assist in developing SOPs related to yield control and measurement accuracy
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.)

• Train production staff on proper cutting techniques, portion control, and weight accuracy
• Communicate yield performance trends to supervisors and leadership
• Act as a liaison between Quality Assurance and Production to ensure alignment on processes and standards

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Business, or related field preferred
• 2–5 years of experience in meat processing, food manufacturing, or quality assurance
• Strong understanding of meat fabrication, portion control, and production yield metrics

• Working knowledge of USDA regulations, HACCP plans, and food safety standards
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and production reporting systems
• Ability to interpret production specifications and yield reports
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities

• Ability to work in cold environments (35–45°F)
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 40–50 pounds as needed
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment

• Improvement in yield percentage
• Reduction in product giveaway and trim loss
• Audit performance and compliance scores
• Accuracy and timeliness of reporting and data analysis

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance and Short-Term/Long-Term Disability
• Employee Discounts on Company Products
• Opportunities for Career Growth and Development

Rastelli Foods Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.