Corporate SQF Practitioner

• Serve as the company's designated SQF Practitioner in accordance with SQF Code requirements.


• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the SQF Food Safety and Quality Management System across all facilities.


• Lead efforts to achieve, maintain, and improve SQF certification status at company locations.


• Conduct internal audits and facility assessments to verify compliance with SQF standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.


• Coordinate and prepare facilities for SQF certification, recertification, customer, and regulatory audits.


• Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs related to audit findings and food safety incidents.


• Ensure food safety plans, prerequisite programs, HACCP plans, and supporting documentation remain current and compliant.


• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation, and Supply Chain teams to identify and mitigate food safety risks.


• Provide training and coaching to plant personnel on SQF requirements, food safety programs, GMPs, HACCP, and regulatory compliance.


• Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and updates to SQF standards, ensuring timely implementation across facilities.


• Track and report SQF compliance metrics, audit performance, and improvement initiatives to leadership.


• Support customer inquiries and audits related to food safety and quality systems.


• Assist with supplier approval and verification programs as needed.


• Travel regularly to company facilities to conduct assessments, training, and audit preparation activities.


• Inspects, assesses, audits an organization's assets and operations, and ensures compliance with state and federal law, contractual terms, and company guidelines.


• Plans and conducts external and internal compliance audits, identifies any potential financial risks, and recommends improvements to internal control structure that ensure adherence to regulations and mitigates loss.

• Strong working knowledge of SQF Code requirements, HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, and FDA/USDA regulations.


• Experience leading SQF certification and recertification audits.


• Internal auditor certification and audit experience preferred.


• Strong project management and organizational skills.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive compliance initiatives.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and food safety management systems.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, Biology, or related field preferred.


• Minimum 5 years of experience in food manufacturing, food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance.


• Certified SQF Practitioner experience required.

• Ability to work in manufacturing environments, including refrigerated and production areas.


• Ability to travel up to 50% as needed between facilities.


• Ability to stand, walk, and conduct facility inspections for extended periods.


• Ability to work in a cold environment


• Able to travel 25% a year across all sites.

• Achieve and maintain SQF certification at all designated facilities.


• Successful completion of certification, surveillance, customer, and regulatory audits.


• Reduction in audit findings and repeat non-conformances.


• Continuous improvement in food safety and quality compliance metrics.


• Effective implementation and standardization of SQF programs across all facilities.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring the company maintains world-class food safety standards and successfully achieves SQF certification and compliance across the enterprise.