Job Description

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

The Senior Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager provides leadership to cross-functional teams when problem solving issues across functional areas (QA, Operations, R&D, and Marketing/Sales), measures and communicate progress as a problem moves towards a lasting solution. The Senior FSQA Manager will also assist Operations, R&D, Engineering with design (and process capability) on any new lines (as well as improvements in old lines), build and maintain a strong QA/FS teams by providing coaching and training, assist associates in receiving outside training when needed, provide Food Safety guidance to operations and maintain strong professional relationships across plant locations, Sales, Marketing, Vendors, Key customers, Co-Packers, to enable responsive partnerships.

This position is located onsite at our facility in Lewiston, NC. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates to support a smooth and successful transition.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee Food Safety and Quality Management systems (FSQMS) and support personnel of assigned locations to include HACCP, SSOP, FSIS regulations and programs.
• Provide executive reporting on Food Safety and regulatory compliance and concerns about microbial management with actionable recommendations.
• Ensure Perdue’s microbial intervention processes are executed in assigned facilities.
• Partner with business colleagues (e.g., Supplier Quality and Procurement) where improvements and execution of relevant preventive controls about food safety programs are needed.
• Training/educating colleagues and suppliers in finding critical parameters of processes used, the mechanisms underlying control steps and the measurements needed to validate these processes when requested by other functions (e.g., Supplier Quality)
• Excellent organizational skills including time management and priority setting.
• Proven ability to interact clearly and effectively with cross functional business partners to establish targets plans and maintain timelines to ensure timely and quality execution Strong demonstrated transformational skills (inspiring, problem solving, communication across multiple organizations, executing) to provide evidence-based leadership, and the ability to utilize these skills with all levels of team members, management and community leaders is required.
• Requires excellent executive presentation and communication skills with the ability to inspire and inform.
• Requires a strong business, planning, communication, and financial skillset with the ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Requires demonstrated experience and excellence in coaching, collaborating, and influencing; a proven leader of people who can recruit, develop and mentor a top-notch team capable of supporting future growth and has demonstrated leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community.
• Demonstrates the ability to strategically analyze and be able to take on projects external to the assigned operation and to lead projects with multi-plant impact. Knowledge of SPC is a plus.
• Will meet directly with customers during plant visits and/or visits to their locations to develop relationships, communicate opportunities and action plans and to review in-person products or services of the company.
• Will lead and instruct the FSQA team to interface and maintain the use of digital data collection systems and other formats, such as but not limited to SafetyChain, Trace Gains, Power Bi, and other similar systems.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts/Science Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or an Agribusiness related major.
• 7+ years’ experience in the food industry required, poultry strongly preferred. Strong knowledge of (and/or certifications in) food safety and all applicable regulations.
• Substantial experience in Food Safety/Quality and/or Regulatory relations with a minimum of 10 years in progressive management or leadership roles.
• 7 + years with direct customer interface and support around Quality and Food Safety.
• 7+ years’ experience managing requirements around verification programs; NAE, NGMO, Gluten Free, BRC, SQF, HACCP, etc.
• Strong background in the areas of microbiology and food science/engineering/food safety with a minimum of 15 years work experience.
• Extensive Regulatory (USDA) engagement experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology or an Agribusiness related major.
• Experience developing and maintaining company records relating to process workflows, USDA, FDA, and other regulatory organizations.
• Thorough understanding of HACCP and GFSI programs/audit schemes
• Robust knowledge and experience with the application of intervention systems to reduce microbial load and risk throughout poultry processing.
• Ability to effectively articulate and present the company’s Food Safety and Quality strategy as it relates to senior management, regulatory bodies, customers and copackers.
• Proven ability to operate successfully in a rapidly growing organization, inclusive of demonstrated ability to coordinate efforts in addressing regulatory issues.
• Ability to formulate solutions from a broad perspective.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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