Food Safety Quality Manager

Who We Are

Since 1955, we have been on a mission To Passionately Feed Millions Daily with High Quality Food People Enjoy! We are a third-generation family-owned and professionally managed organization with a commitment to strategic growth. We continue to be successful because of talented people, just like you, who choose to join our family and call E.A. Sween home. We pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming, respectful, and rewarding culture where employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work each and every day. At E.A. Sween, our team members are seen, heard, and appreciated not just for what they do, but for who they are. We hope you’ll join us!

What We’re Seeking

The Food Safety & Quality Manager leads the implementation of the organization’s FSQ strategy at the Eden Prairie facility, driving systems, processes, and continuous improvements that ensure product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Partnering closely with Operations, this role champions food safety culture, hygiene standards, and operational excellence across production and support functions while supporting the company’s Lean initiatives.

Compensation: The target salary range for this position is $112,000 - $117,000 annually, consistent with our internal compensation framework. This position is classified as Grade 15, with a full pay range of $86,940.47 to $130,522.09. You are eligible for an incentive bonus up to 15% of your annual salary, prorated based on your start date. Final pay will be determined by your experience, skills, internal equity, and available budget.

This position is on-site at our Eden Prairie, MN facility. The standard hours are Monday-Friday 7am-4pm, times and day can vary based on business demands.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

Leadership

• Leads all aspects of quality, food safety, regulatory, and sanitation within the Eden Prairie, MN facility.
• Provides leadership to the Eden Prairie plant to develop and deliver results for key food safety and quality KPI’s.
• Responsible for all FSQ-related CAPA projects.
• Ensure development and implementation of quality and food safety processes in Redzone compliance software.
• Oversee the plant Pest Control programs and communicate with PCO.
• Oversee facility Janitorial services that support plant operations.
• Review customer complaint data for trends that negatively impact food safety and quality.
• Execute assigned food safety, quality and continuous improvement activities to support SQF System as updated.

Food Safety & Quality

• Regulatory point of contact for the plant with State and Federal regulators. Ensure compliance with regulatory and EA Sween policies.
• Responsible for finished product quality and safety; determines disposition of finished product in conjunction with the FSQ management team.
• Evaluate, develop and execute ways to improve the manufacturing process to continually improve product quality.
• Ensure compliance to international and federal safety standards including but not limited to SQF, FSMA, FDA, Seafood, USDA and local agency requirements.
• Develop, update and ensure implementation of food safety and HACCP plans.
• Review and update HA/risk assessment annually and as changes in product and/or process occur.
• Provide training to employees responsible for functions that support preventative controls and critical control points.
• Ensure supporting documentation is complete including CAPA.
• Ensure food safety and HACCP plans have been validated.
• Lead HACCP team meetings and track changes as necessary.
• Participate in verification/pre-shipment reviews of CCP, allergen sequencing, EM and product test results utilizing the Redzone compliance software.
• Acting lead for the facility in mock recall and recall situations. Assist in maintenance and testing of the trace-recall program in conjunction with the rest of the FSQ team.
• Lead development and maintenance of facility allergen programs.

Financial

• Participate in the annual FSQ budgeting process and maintain costs against budget.
• Ensure that all quality and food safety test procedures are efficient and cost-effective. Revise methods and SOP’s as needed.
• Research and recommend capital purchase for Food Safety & Quality during annual budgeting.

Team Development

• Responsible for self-development classes/seminars/webinars to maintain qualifications for the Food Safety & Quality Manager position. Involvement in Food Safety organizations is encouraged.
• Lead the development of the FSQ team including hiring, development plans, feedback, recognition and performance management.
• Lead the FSQ team to be active partners with Plant Operations leadership.
• Develop and maintain accurate job descriptions and performance standards for direct reports within the Food Safey & Quality Department.
• Provide leadership support to the plant Quality Department in the absence of the Plant Quality Managers.
• Support and demonstrate the EA Sween Spirit and Values.

Safety

• Successfully complete the mandatory EA Sween Quarterly Safety Training sessions for the purpose of complying with both OSHA regulations and EA Sween policy.
• Follow employer safety and health rules, regulations and standard work in performing the job.
• Report hazardous conditions to site safety professional and supervisor of area with safety concern.
• Wear proper PPE as needed/required in appropriate areas.

What You’ll Need (Qualifications)

Required

• BS degree in Food Science or a Life Science with 3-5 years of production experience.
• Management/Supervisory experience – minimum 2 years.
• HACCP certificate.
• SQF certification, or equivalent experience.
• PCQI certificate preferred or obtained within 3 months of employment.
• Experience implementing HACCP principles and FSMA rules including preventive controls.
• Personal computer skills (Microsoft Word & Excel, Network).
• Attention to precision and detail.
• Ability to interact with all divisions and levels of employees.
• Possess problem solving strengths, work independently.

Preferred

• Seafood HACCP certificate.
• E1/JD Edwards or other EPR system experience.
• Experience working in a USDA inspected facility.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Continuously work with materials associated with microbiological analyses and safety work with biohazards.
• Able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs occasionally.
• Able to occasionally remain on feet for up to 5 hours per day.
• Must be able to occasionally work in a cold/wet environment (-5 to 40 degrees) for 2-4 hours as needed to monitor the production area.
• Able to handle multiple projects and changing demands and to prioritize effectively.
• Able to maintain and extend a positive attitude to the work environment; be able to accept and withstand constructive feedback from others.
• Able to work overtime, some rotating weekends, and early morning/late afternoon hours, depending on ongoing projects, production schedules and staffing.

How You’ll Find Success at EAS

• Value People Most of All: Show respect & care, embrace diversity, and empower others.
• Commit to Safety Everyday: See something say something do something, practice safe behavior, and celebrate safety success.
• Invest in Our Company to Thrive: Share ideas to improve, learn & grow, and embrace change.
• Think Before Doing And Act Decisively: Make thoughtful decisions, work together to find solutions, and do what’s right.
• Welcome Constructive Straight Talk: Be honest and respectful even when difficult, be open to ideas and feedback, and ask questions to understand.
• Serve Up Exceptional Experiences: Provide value to customers, take pride in your work, and help others to be successful.
• Enjoy What You Do!: Have a positive attitude, Live the Spirit of E.A. Sween, and celebrate success.

E.A. Sween is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and well-being of our team members. Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match – fully vested after 2 years
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Recognition Program (Boss Bucks)