QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER - PROTEIN CONVERSION

Quality Assurance & Food Safety Mt. Pleasant, Texas


Description

Position at Pilgrim's

Quality Assurance Manager 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Manage, plan, coordinate, and direct quality control programs to ensure consistent production and service aligned with established standards.
  • Develop and apply statistical analysis to monitor and improve food safety and quality performance.
  • Implement food safety and quality procedures in alignment with Pilgrim’s corporate and facility programs.
  • Develop the site’s quality budget using zero-based budgeting techniques; analyze spend to drive cost reduction.
  • Build and maintain cooperative relationships within the facility and with external partners, including customers.
  • Serve as a key member of the facility leadership team.
  • Prevent product and company risk by managing nonconforming product processes, QA HOLDs, and corrective action programs.
  • Coordinate with operations and quality teams to investigate customer complaints and ensure timely resolution.
  • Promote and organize training activities related to food safety and quality assurance.
  • Collaborate with facility teams to resolve personnel and processing issues using root cause analysis.
  • Coach and train FSQA team members to ensure clear understanding of departmental expectations.
  • Lead customer, third-party, and USDA/FSIS/ASM audits.
 
Basic Qualifications
  • Previous supervisory experience required.
  • Experience in poultry further processing or slaughter preferred.
  • Strong understanding of USDA and OSHA regulations.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); SAP experience preferred.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated leadership, analytical, and math skills.
  • High integrity, dependability, and strong work ethic.
  • Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable to a fast-paced environment.
  • GFSI (BRC specifically) training preferred.
 
Candidate Expectations
  • Willingness to travel as needed, with overnight stays of 1–4 days.
  • Flexibility to work varying days and shifts, including occasional weekends.
  • Ability to work independently and uphold PPC’s values and FSQA programs.
  • Maintain a positive and cooperative work atmosphere.
  • Navigate processing areas and equipment safely.
  • Recognize and act on safety and food safety risks; consistently enforce safe work habits across the facility.
 
Educational Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field, or
  • Five (5) years of relevant experience/training, or
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience.
 
Work Environment
  • Exposure to both office and production environments.
  • Production areas may include wet/humid conditions and moving mechanical parts.
  • Noise levels in production areas are typically loud.

EOE/Including disability/Vets