Who We Are
A producer-owned pork processor, comprised of 200 dedicated Midwest family farms, focused on providing customers with quality pork products they can trust, in a culture that fosters innovation and opportunity.

Summary
The Director of FSQA is responsible for leading food safety and quality culture and initiatives within the organization across multiple plants.   Responsible for driving food safety and quality standards in the plant.  Key contact to resolve and communicate USDA, customer, and external compliance issues.  Responsible for strategic development and implementation of food safety and quality programs and improvements.  

Education, Licensure and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Food Safety, Natural Science or related technical field from a regionally accredited four-year college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.   
• Minimum of 5 years of prior industry experience, 3 years minimum of direct supervisory experience, 5+ years preferred.   
• Experience with USDA regulated products required.   
• Lab experience preferred in microbiological and chemistry applications.   
• Bilingual preferred.   
• HACCP certification, GFSI certification, and PCQI certification preferred.   
• Excellent communication skills required, both written and verbal, demonstrating the proven ability to correspond with all levels from production team members to corporate management.   
• Must have good problem identification and problem-solving skills.    

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be a minimum of 18 years of age and must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.    

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (Please note:  This in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary and appropriate.):   

1. Oversee and lead all aspects of food safety, quality, animal welfare, and lab practices for the company.  
2. Drive the implementation, change, and development of all food safety and quality programs for the company, including all regulatory programs, general plant policies, customer requirements, and attribute programs. 
3. Create and foster a food safety culture and work cross functionally with department heads to assure food safety and quality are a top priority within the organization.   
4. Provide guidance and direction to FSQA management team to improve and monitor sanitation, food safety, and quality plans.     
5. Initiate customer complaint protocols and follow up that all complaints are handled and responded to.  
6. Approve and verify food safety and quality programs and reporting systems for internal and external customers.   
7. Provide direction on new innovations and enhancements related to food safety, quality, and scientific advancements within the industry.
8. Maintain and further establish quality and food safety standards, utilizing statistical control.    
9. Conduct internal audits to assure compliance with plant policies, USDA regulations, and 3 party requirements.  
10. Provide responses, letters, and communication for major plant events, customer concerns, and external communications for FSQA department.   
11. Identify and lead special projects and process improvement initiatives related to food safety and quality.   
12. Lead FSQA department to assure alignment with company goals and culture.   
13. Mentor and develop FSQA team to grow within their role and within the company.  
14. Responsible for advising and conducting meat quality testing at the plant(s) and summarizing and presenting the results.  
15. Travel up to 25%.
16. Other duties as assigned.  

Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises personnel to ensure quality service in accordance with the Personnel Manual and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include but are not limited:   

• Identify and grow leaders within the FSQA department.    
• Provide candidates and advise on succession planning for FSQA department.   
• Determine staffing requirements necessary to meet the department’s needs.   
• Train employees in performance of duties in compliance with all state and federal standards and laws as well as company requirements.   
• Plan and direct work schedules to assign and coordinate the work of office and salaried employees to promote efficiency of operations and in accordance with budgeted hours, ensuring that all duties are performed – work assignments to assist staff in completing and performing such tasks.   
• Delegate responsibility and accountability to staff as deemed necessary.    

Language Skills
Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the language of the majority cultural group in  order to communicate effectively.  Must be able to hear enough to understand those individuals  as well.  Ability to read, interpret, and comprehend documents such as grafts/flow sheets, financials, general professional articles and publications, governmental regulations, safety rules, assignment sheets, and procedure manuals.   Must be able to write reports, business correspondence, policies and procedures, and other administrative forms as outlined above.    

Must be able to effectively communicate in both individual and group settings.  Must be able to  present information and respond to questions from individuals and/or groups.   

Mathematical Skills
In order to perform duties, must be able to:  

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure such as whole numbers, fractions, percentages, and fractions.     
• Compute rate, discounts, ratios, and percent    
• Make, read and interpret, graphs, rates, ratios, and percentages.  
• Understanding of basic statistics  .  

Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense and judgment in solving problems and interpreting and understanding instructions furnished in written or oral form.  Must be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action yet reason when to involve supervisor.       

Computer Skills
Intermediate computer knowledge with the ability to learn software required.   

Other Skills and Abilities

• Display strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deal with  frequent interruptions.  
• Ability to function independently given assigned duties.    
• Ability to function independently given assigned duties.    
• Strong knowledge base of regulatory compliance in a food manufacturing environment.(Preferably USDA regulated)  
• Experience in quality data platforms and reporting.    
• Ability to effectively write and articulate via formal written letters and responses.   
• Strong conflict resolution skills.  

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an  

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential  functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use  hands and/or fingers to feel, manipulate small objects, write, and type.  The employee is frequently required to bend; squat/kneel; twist/turn; sit; talk; hear and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull; climb; walk; stand; and balance.  The  employee is rarely required to smell and/or taste.  The employee must occasionally lift/carry/move up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.   Specific vision abilities   required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth   perception and ability to adjust focus.   

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.    

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the  essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally  

exposed to fumes or airborne particles and to warm/cold and/or humid/dry conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company matching Retirement Plan
• Paid time off
• Short term and long term disability
• Referral program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Plans

Wholestone Prestage is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

About Wholestone Farms

Wholestone Farms is proud of our authentic, integrated structure and entrepreneurial spirit. Working together as a cohesive team, we will succeed in delivering consistent, high-quality pork products with exceptional service to our customers worldwide.

Connections working at Wholestone Farms