Food Safety and Quality Manager

Our No. 1 priority at Johnsonville is providing a safe work environment for every Member we employ. Our industry-leading safety record, coupled with the safety awards we’ve received, demonstrate this commitment. Members of our safety team maintain the safety of Johnsonville Members in our facilities, continuously finding new and better ways to do so. We’re also dedicated to producing only the highest-quality products for consumers worldwide to enjoy – ones we would be proud to serve at our own family table. Our quality team ensures Johnsonville meets or exceeds all standards set by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), of the US Department of Agriculture and other regulatory agencies. Our commitment to quality is unparalleled, thanks to the dedication of each quality team member.

Johnsonville, LLC

Food Safety and Quality Manager

Momence, IL

Position Overview:

This is a great job for a person who has passion and drive for food safety and quality. In this role you can leverage your expertise and experience related to food safety and building people to develop strategies and tactics that will help the organization accomplish its goal of becoming the Best Company in the World. Your passion for continuous improvement efforts will drive and enable Members in the organization to meet the goals of making gold standard products.   You will act as a role model and educator of the Johnsonville Way thus facilitating this as “a way of life” within the Momence facility.

Responsibilities:

• Using the Johnsonville Way, work with members to drive strategic continuous improvement efforts related to food safety/quality risks in the animal harvest and fresh sausage processes
• Set metrics of success and identify trends and process variation in conjunction with the animal harvest/fresh sausage team
• Be a resource to all Johnsonville plants for corrective actions to optimize product safety and quality
• Keep the facility updated and in compliance with regulatory policies in the areas of animal harvest, animal welfare, and fresh meat production
• Be an active member of the foreign animal disease team and Johnsonville network FSQ teams
• Utilize your problem solving and critical thinking skills to develop solutions for internal process and product improvements
• Work directly with and establish a strong relationship with the facility’s USDA team
• Coach and develop Food Safety/Quality team members
• Lead or support internal, supplier and third-party audits (including SQF and animal welfare).
• Use your technical expertise to educate members on food safety/quality applications/systems
• Participate and/or lead facility food safety/quality metric improvement teams which may also branch across the Johnsonville network.
• Create a culture around food safety/quality with the members and develop future leaders as a pipeline for future food safety/quality roles and/or operational leadership positions

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Microbiology or related field preferred

Experience:

• 5 years of experience in a quality leadership role required
• Experience in food required; meat/poultry processing and harvest preferred

Skills and Competencies:

• Proficient at influential leadership and the ability to grow direct and indirect members required
• Knowledge and understanding of food safety, HACCP systems, USDA/FDA, Animal Handling and Welfare programs and regulatory requirements and have established regulatory relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite required
• Understanding of Safe Quality Food program preferred
• Experience with fresh product shelf life and microbiology
• Knowledge of continuous improvement processes (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, etc.)
• Experience working in SAP Business Operating System desired
• Proficient with data management and Statistical Process Control
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Project management and team leadership skills

Date:                                                May 12, 2025    

Coach for this position:                Plant Director

Location:                                         Momence, IL

Member Status:                              Fulltime, Salaried

Travel:                                             Up to 10%

Reason for Posting:                      Replacement

Compensation and Benefits: $95,807 – $124,787/yr., plus bi-annual bonus potential, 401k with a company match, affordable medical, dental and vision coverage, disability, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and tuition reimbursement. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience.

About our Company

Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 3,000 Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

How to Apply: 

External candidates:  Apply on-line only at:  careers.johnsonville.com

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.