Food Safety Systems Manager

Join the Company that is 100% committed to moving the bar higher. Your future belongs at the home of the Excellent Chicken…Bell and Evans!

Job Summary:

The Food Safety Systems Manager will serve as the technical resource for food safety standards to

stakeholders in plant operations, quality assurance, maintenance, sanitation, and new product

development. This position is responsible for the development, execution, and oversight of key food

safety systems and pre-requisite programs across the Bell & Evans’ enterprise and will serve as the

project manager for cross-functional projects associated with food safety initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve enterprise food safety programs, including pathogen

interventions, sanitation programs, environmental monitoring, water reuse and reconditioning, food

defense and food fraud, GMPs, and foreign material prevention.

• Ensure compliance with enterprise food safety systems and programs by evaluating existing

monitoring activities and performing internal audits of program implementation and execution.

Drive ownership and accountability with business area owners.

• Identify and drive projects related to food safety improvements in collaboration with area

stakeholders. Act in the capacity of project manager by identifying key resources, driving

accountability of actions, and creating organizational visibility to projects.

• Responsible for the ownership and continuous improvement of the Copacker Management Program

by establishing food safety, regulatory compliance, and animal welfare expectations for all new and

existing copacker partners. Conduct risk assessments against defined criteria and perform facility

audits and assessments, when applicable.

• Act as the Chairperson for the Food Safety Culture Committee. Drive improvements in food safety

culture through team member engagement events and internal communications. Develop and

execute the strategy for the utilization of Intertek Alchemy for food safety training topics.

• Monitor key performance indicators for critical food safety systems. Evaluate data for emerging

trends and provide awareness to key stakeholders. Support investigations into negative trends with

area owners.

• Support New Product Development (NPD) and Management of Change (MOC) processes by

providing food safety guidance for all products, processes, suppliers, and copackers.

• Responsible for the coaching and development of direct reports by defining individual performance

objectives and providing consistent feedback.

• Establishes key performance indicators for areas of ownership in order to measure success against

organizational objectives and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

• Take a proactive role in assuring safe, quality products are produced by immediately addressing any

safety or quality concerns. Participate actively in all company meetings.

• Provide support to the Food Safety and Quality Assurance department by developing a knowledge

of the business to participate in projects, internal and external audits, and other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• 2 Direct Reports: Food Safety Specialists

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Poultry Science, or related technical field and 5-7

years’ experience in food safety and quality assurance management in the food industry; or

equivalent combination of education and experience

• 3-5 years of leadership experience
• Advanced knowledge of food safety, microbiology, HACCP systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Certifications in Advanced HACCP and/or PCQI for Human Food
• Experience with implementing and maintaining GFSI standards required
• Ability for intermittent business travel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in meat or poultry processing and/or animal agriculture
• Prior experience as an SQF Practitioner
• Demonstrated history of continuous education through relevant learning platforms
• Experience with assessing and/or auditing suppliers or co-packers/co-manufacturers

Job Competencies:

• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, regulatory authorities, 3rd party auditors, and

varying levels of employees throughout the organization.

• Self-motivated with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability and desire to lead change and to motivate, influence, and empower key stakeholders.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficient in project management, team collaboration, and driving continuous improvement.