Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager

The Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager for the SSP meat processing plant oversees food safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality standards. The QA Manager enforces protocols like HACCP and SSOP’s, drives continuous improvement, acts as the primary liaison with USDA or FSIS inspectors, and manages the quality team to prevent contamination and ensure consumer safety. The FSQA Manager works closely with the Plant Manager and reports directly to the Director of Plant Operations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Regulatory Compliance: Maintains strict compliance with USDA, FSIS, FDA, and GFSI/SQF standards. Acts as the primary onsite point of contact for government inspectors and auditors.
• Food Safety Systems: Develops, implements, and validates foundational food safety programs, including HACCP, GMP, SSOPs, traceability, and allergen control.
• Quality Control & Testing: Oversees daily testing of raw materials and finished products, and reviews microbiological data to meet strict customer and safety parameters.
• Team Leadership: Hires, trains, and mentors the QA supervisor, QA technicians, and plant floor auditors.
• Audits & Recalls: Spearheads internal/external audits, conducts mock recalls, and oversees traceability systems.
• Corrective Actions: Identifies quality issues and facilitates Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) with plant operations and maintenance teams.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 3 to 5 years of quality management experience in a meat processing or slaughterhouse environment.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of USDA/FSIS guidelines, HACCP principles, and sanitation processes.
• Certifications: HACCP certification is mandatory. SQF, BRC, or PCQI certifications are highly preferred.
• Skills: Strong data analysis, risk management, and excellent communication skills. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is frequently required for production floor communication.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to work in a plant environment with varying temperatures (including cold storage and freezers) and wet or humid conditions.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods, walk on wet or slick surfaces, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Full Time Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement Program- up to 100% paid college tuition
• 25% Employee Discount on Restaurant food purchases, 10% Discount on Market and Merchandise items
• Shift meal discount of $8.75 per day
• 401K - Southside Market & Barbeque will match the team member contributions 100% (dollar-for-dollar) on your Salary Deferrals up to 3% of compensation; plus, a 50% matching contribution on any additional Salary Deferrals above 3% up to 5% of compensation.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Focused Leadership Development Program
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short- term and Long- term Disability
• 1 week Vacation pay/year - accrual starts on day 1
• 1 week Sick pay/year - accrual starts on day 1
• ALL COMPANY HOLIDAY Closures Paid - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter – if normally scheduled for day it occurs on
• Full time set Schedules

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