Quality Systems Supervisor - 1st Shift

Job Description

Job DescriptionEmployment Type: Full-Time The Quality Systems Supervisor - 1st Shift is responsible for leading food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance within a high-volume protein manufacturing environment. This role ensures strict adherence to HACCP programs, USDA/FSIS regulations, and pathogen control standards, particularly within ground beef production.

The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on leadership experience on the manufacturing floor, deep food safety expertise, and the ability to drive compliance, traceability, and crisis readiness in a fast-paced, blue-collar environment.

Key Responsibilities Food Safety & Quality Systems

• Lead and manage HACCP programs and food safety systems
• Ensure compliance with USDA / FSIS regulations and internal standards
• Oversee documentation, traceability, and product release processes
• Maintain audit readiness and regulatory compliance

Pathogen Control & Microbiology

• Manage pathogen control programs, especially for ground beef production
• Oversee environmental monitoring and microbial testing programs
• Ensure sanitation effectiveness and contamination prevention

Sanitation & Environmental Monitoring

• Supervise sanitation programs and cleaning validation processes
• Ensure environmental swabbing, testing, and corrective actions are completed
• Maintain compliance with food safety and sanitation SOPs

Leadership & Manufacturing Floor Oversight

• Lead quality teams in a high-volume, blue-collar manufacturing environment
• Provide floor-level leadership, coaching, and performance management
• Ensure adherence to quality standards across production operations

Compliance, Audits & Crisis Management

• Support and lead internal and external audits (USDA, FSIS, customer audits)
• Ensure crisis readiness, traceability, and recall processes
• Investigate non-conformances and implement CAPA actions

Continuous Improvement

• Drive process improvements related to food safety and quality
• Analyze data and trends to improve product quality and reduce risk
• Support technology adoption and system enhancements

Required Qualifications (Must-Haves)

• 2-4 years of HACCP & Food Safety Systems Leadership
• 2-4 years of Pathogen Control experience (critical for ground beef)
• 2-4 years of USDA / FSIS regulatory compliance experience
• 2-4 years of Environmental Monitoring & Sanitation oversight
• Experience leading teams in a manufacturing / production floor environment
• Strong knowledge of documentation, traceability, and crisis readiness

Preferred Qualifications (Nice-To-Haves)

• Experience in protein / beef processing environments
• Strong microbiology knowledge
• Experience with audits, customer interactions, and compliance systems
• Continuous improvement mindset (Lean / Six Sigma exposure preferred)
• Experience managing crisis situations and risk mitigation

Additional Preferred Credentials

• SQF Practitioner Certification
• Advanced HACCP or Internal Auditor Certification
• Food Defense / Food Fraud Training
• Degree in Animal Science, Food Science, or related field

Are you able to relocate and work in Opelika, AL ?