FSQA Manager

John Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has been making a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. We are driven by our purpose-and promise-of Great Food, Made Simple . Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA. We are proud to serve a broad portfolio of great tasting, high quality products that are sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Included in our wide array of national customers are prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr. and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth now has annual sales of approximately $1 Billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and at its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

The FSQA Manager is responsible for the management of the FSQA department, including food safety programs and verification of product quality standards within the facility. Additionally, the FSQA Manager is responsible for ensuring FSQA team member safety and retention KPI's.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the FSQA team for the facility, with direct reports including the Assistant FSQA Manager (1st shift) and FSQA Superintendent (2nd shift)

• Develop, implement, and maintain plant quality and food safety programs, including but not limited to HACCP, Food Safety Plans, GMPs, SSOPs, and Environmental Monitoring Programs.

• Serve as the Food Safety Team leader, identifying and facilitating action plans to address trends and leading CAPA activities for foreign material, customer complaints, and environmental monitoring.

• Lead sanitation verification, including daily pre-operational sanitation inspection, operational sanitation, master sanitation schedules, etc.

• Serve as the primary liaison for on-site USDA-FSIS personnel

• Ensure finished product compliance with customer and label specifications.

• Lead all required third party, customer, and regulatory audits, including BRCGS, Organic, and Child Nutrition.

• Develop, implement, and verify adequate food safety and quality training for plant team members and FSQA staff.

• Lead and participate in internal audits to assess compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Manage the systematic hold and release of product.

• Authorized to hold non-confirming product and determine product disposition. Must have the ability to make sound judgments and good decisions regarding quality and wholesomeness of product.

• Develop and communicate FSQA data trends and lead root-cause analysis.

• Interact directly with customers during plant tours and audits, visits to customer facilities, and/or for complaints responses.

• Complete special projects, duties, and assignments, as appropriate, including coverage of pre-operational sanitation/start-up and second shift as needed.

Qualifications:

Education:

• A Bachelor of Science degree is preferred in Food Science, Meat/Animal Science, or related science discipline such as chemistry, biology, or microbiology.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of prior industry experience in food processing and quality management, meat industry USDA-regulated products preferred.

• Former management experience or supervisory experience with demonstrated potential to hire and develop salaried supervisory employees.

• Experience working with and leading diverse and cross-functional teams.

Skills / Proficiencies:

• Technical knowledge of food quality/safety procedures and programs, regulatory requirements, microbial hazards, HACCP program development, microbiological laboratory procedures, sanitation procedures, and plant operations.

• Strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate throughout all levels of the organization.

• Ability to analyze data and information and to make effective and timely decisions.

• Capacity to work with others to identify opportunities.

• Strong leadership and managerial skills and the ability to coach and develop employees.

• Ability to work under pressure and to react to situations with a strong sense of urgency.

• Solid problem-solving, project management, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.

• Ability to listen and consider all ideas while working in a team environment.

• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word proficiency. Experience with M3, Redzone, and/or Tracegains a plus.

• Ability for limited travel to other facilities and for corporate team meetings as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and work in a cold and/or hot environment on the production floor.

• May be exposed to aroma of spices used in cooking.