Job Description

Position Title: Food Safety Manager

Supported by: Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Our Story:

Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981 . The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.

Our Philosophy: Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.

In Short:

The Food Safety Manager ensures the integrity, safety, and quality of all food distributed across the organization. This role leads the execution of food safety programs, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance practices, driving consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Through oversight of inspections, audits, and corrective actions, this role protects the organization, strengthens operations, and ensures safe, high-quality food reaches all partners and neighbors.

Your Mission:

• Quality Assurance & Food Safety Oversight
  • Lead all inbound and outbound product inspection processes, including produce quality checks, to ensure established standards are consistently met prior to distribution
  • Evaluate and disposition incoming product, approving or rejecting shipments based on defined food safety and quality criteria, with clear and accurate documentation
  • Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Preventive Controls, and internal food safety procedures across all operational areas
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate food safety and quality risks across warehousing, production, and transportation functions
  • Ensure sanitation programs, inspections, and required documentation are executed accurately, consistently, and on schedule
  • Maintain a safe and sanitary environment for staff and volunteers by enforcing compliance with USDA, AIB, GMP, and local health regulations
  • Oversee core food safety programs, including pest control, chemical management, and temperature monitoring, ensuring consistency and audit readiness
  • Manage the allergen control program, ensuring proper identification, segregation, labeling, and prevention of cross-contact
  • Oversee environmental monitoring and facility condition programs, ensuring cleanliness, structural integrity, and proactive risk mitigation
  • Ensure the Quality Assurance inspection program is executed as designed, with all daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly inspections completed, documented, and resolved
  • Monitor inspection results and trends, ensuring timely escalation and resolution of identified risks or non-compliance
  • Drive consistency and accountability across all food safety and quality assurance practices, reinforcing a culture of compliance, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Audit, Compliance & Regulatory Management
  • Lead and execute internal food safety audits, ensuring consistent adherence to organizational standards and regulatory requirements
  • Support and coordinate external audits (AIB, USDA, FDA, Feeding America, and other regulatory bodies), ensuring readiness, accuracy, and timely follow-through
  • Manage corrective action processes, ensuring findings are documented, assigned, and resolved within established timelines
  • Monitor and ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable food safety, sanitation, storage, pest control, and disposal regulations
  • Conduct and document mock recalls and traceability exercises, validating the effectiveness and readiness of recall processes
  • Support the implementation and maintenance of Food Safety and Food Defense programs, including HACCP and Preventive Controls
  • Execute food recall procedures, ensuring timely communication, documentation, and coordination with internal teams and external agencies
  • Maintain working knowledge of OSHA and DOT requirements as they relate to food safety and operational compliance
  • Identify trends and recurring findings across audits, partnering with leadership to strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and improve operational consistency
• Leadership, Training & Team Development
  • Lead the Food Safety Committee and support the Food Safety Team, ensuring regular inspections are completed, documented, and followed through to resolution
  • Provide day-to-day leadership and direction, reinforcing adherence to food safety and quality standards across staff and volunteers
  • Coach and guide team members on food safety practices, regulatory requirements, and quality expectations to ensure consistent execution
  • Partner with Human Resources to support the delivery and reinforcement of food safety and compliance training, ensuring alignment between training content and operational practices
  • Identify gaps in knowledge, performance, or compliance, and escalate training needs to ensure appropriate development and support is provided
  • Support the development and maintenance of SOPs, job aids, and compliance documentation to drive clarity and consistency in daily operations
  • Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement related to food safety and quality assurance
  • Model and promote a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to food safety, ensuring concerns are addressed quickly and consistently across teams
• Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Analyze inspection results, audit findings, and quality data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
  • Lead and implement process improvements that strengthen food safety, enhance product quality, and reduce waste
  • Develop and maintain key food safety and quality metrics, providing regular insights to leadership on trends, risks, and audit readiness
  • Partner with Sourcing, Inventory, Distribution, Volunteer Center, and Facilities teams to resolve quality issues and improve operational consistency
  • Collaborate with Sourcing to evaluate supplier performance and address product quality or compliance concerns related to incoming donations and purchases
  • Manage and track corrective actions within SafetyCulture, ensuring accountability, visibility, and timely completion across teams
  • Respond to food safety and quality concerns in alignment with the Customer Feedback process, ensuring timely resolution and communication
  • Support system and process improvements that strengthen traceability, documentation, and overall audit readiness
  • Reinforce consistency across teams by aligning processes, expectations, and follow-through related to food safety and quality standards
• Team Leadership and Performance
  • Provide direct leadership and oversight of the Quality Assurance team, ensuring clear expectations, accountability, and consistent execution of responsibilities
  • Manage day-to-day team performance, including workload prioritization, coaching, feedback, and performance management
  • Establish clear performance expectations and monitor progress, addressing gaps promptly and reinforcing accountability across the team
  • Coach and develop team members to strengthen capability in food safety, quality assurance practices, and regulatory compliance
  • Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and standards, holding team members accountable to established expectations
  • Partner with Human Resources on performance management, employee relations, and development needs to ensure alignment and consistency
  • Lead hiring, onboarding, and integration of QA team members, ensuring new hires are set up for success and aligned with operational expectations
  • Foster a team environment grounded in accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
  • Communicate key updates, risks, and performance trends to leadership, escalating concerns as needed to ensure timely resolution
• Other duties that are entrusted within your scope of practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to the FBFH mission and values
• Strong working knowledge of food safety standards , including GMPs, HACCP, and regulatory requirements (AIB, USDA, FDA, or similar)
• Strong working knowledge of audit processes, inspections, and regulatory compliance within food distribution, warehousing, or manufacturing environments .
• Ability to interpret regulations and translate requirements into clear, actionable operational practices
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on accuracy, documentation, and consistency
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills focused on relationship-building, active listening, and support.
• Leads with influence , cultivating a coaching culture that empowers and inspires the team. Excels in prioritizing and communicating key objectives, driving alignment and focus to ensure the organization achieves its goals with purpose and impact .
• Demonstrated ability to identify risks, analyze data, and implement practical solutions to improve quality and compliance outcomes
• Effective leadership and coaching skills , with the ability to influence team members and reinforce expectations across staff and volunteers
• Strong organizational and time management skills , with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization, including cross-functional teams
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions, and exercise judgment in resolving food safety and quality concerns
• Proficiency in systems and tools used for inspections, documentation, and tracking (e.g., SafetyCulture or similar platforms)
• Ability to build trust, credibility, and strong working relationships across teams
• A dynamic team player and collaborative leader , driving synergy within the department and across all functions, fostering a unified approach to achieving organizational goals.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, proven ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, fostering trust and driving meaningful partnerships.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects , with attention to detail and accuracy, while adhering to deadlines.
• Highly adaptable and resilient , with a proven ability to confidently manage change and navigate competing priorities seamlessly, maintaining focus and driving success without losing momentum in a high-paced, multitasking environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite , data analytics tools, and relevant business software.

Your Story:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification required (or obtained within 12 months)
• ServSafe Manager certification required (or obtained within 12 months)
• Seafood HACCP certification required (or obtained within 12 months)
• HACCP certification strongly preferred
• Food Defense Coordinator training or certification strongly preferred
• Lived experience with the impacts of systemic racism or marginalization is a plus.

About The Team:

Everyone at Food Bank for the Heartland, from our administrative staff and warehouse employees to our team members working in partnership in the various community locations, shares a common vision: to help eliminate hunger in our service area—one initiative, program, and thoughtful decision at a time. Our culture is committed to welcoming you to our table, supporting your passion and drive, and focusing on diversity, growth, and community involvement.

The Food Safety Manager is part of the Community Impact team, which brings together Operations, the Volunteer Center, Sourcing and Procurement, Transportation, Inventory Management, Quality Assurance, and Network Relations. This team works in close partnership to ensure food is safely sourced, processed, and distributed with consistency and care. Through this collective effort, the team supports the delivery of safe, high-quality food to partners and neighbors across our service area.

We provide an environment to help you succeed.

Food Bank for the Heartland is an equal-opportunity employer, and we’re excited to work with talented and empathetic people of all identities. As required by law and in line with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity, FBFH does not discriminate based on someone’s identity in any aspect of hiring or employment. Our code of conduct provides a beacon for the kind of company we strive to be, and we celebrate our differences. FBFH will consider all qualified applicants.

FBFH is committed to inclusion. As part of this commitment, FBFH welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will work to provide reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don't hesitate to get in touch with adurr@foodbankheartland.org

We empower your well-being by prioritizing your health, growth, and balance to ensure you thrive both personally and professionally.

We prioritize your well-being by offering a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, retirement, supplemental, and leave benefits. Additionally, we provide resources like our Employee Assistant Program, designed to support your overall health and personal needs, ensuring you thrive both at work and in life.

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