FSQ Manager II

Business Unit Overview

Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that's First in Food.

Location Description

Michael Foods, Inc. located in Gaylord, Minnesota is Minnesota's Healthy Heartland! Gaylord is located in south central Minnesota about an hour west of the Twin Cities and 35 minutes from Mankato, Hutchinson, and New Ulm. As the County Seat, Gaylord is the "Hub of Sibley County." Our location produces liquid egg, hardcook egg, and precooked egg such as scrambled, patties and omelets.

Responsibilities

Position Summary

The FSQ Manager II is responsible for leading all aspects of Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) at the Gaylord, MN facility, including quality assurance, laboratory, and sanitation functions. This role ensures the site produces safe, compliant, and high-quality products through the effective implementation and continuous improvement of FSQ systems.

The position provides leadership in developing, implementing, and sustaining HACCP, FSMA, GMP, sanitation, and regulatory compliance programs. It drives a culture of food safety, and quality excellence while minimizing product and process variability.

This role is accountable for reinforcing safety as a core value and ensuring full compliance with all company safety, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop FSQ, laboratory, and sanitation teams, including both salaried and hourly employees.
• Promote a strong food safety and quality culture across all departments and shifts.
• Ensure consistent communication and collaboration within the site and across the broader organization.

Food Safety & Quality Systems

• Oversee implementation and maintenance of HACCP, GMP, SQF, FSMA, and sanitation programs.
• Serve as the site Subject Matter Expert on company Quality Systems, ensuring effective interpretation and execution.
• Lead continuous improvement of FSQ systems to enhance product quality, compliance, and operational performance.

Regulatory & Audit Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, customer, and corporate FSQ requirements.
• Lead and support internal, customer, and regulatory audits, including readiness and follow-up actions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all internal and external FSQ-related matters.

Quality Assurance & Laboratory Programs

• Manage incoming materials, in-process controls, and finished product testing programs.
• Monitor and verify adherence to all product specifications and quality standards.
• Analyze and trend quality data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify risks and improvement opportunities.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Champion the use of root cause analysis, quality improvement tools, and Lean principles.
• Lead investigations and corrective/preventive actions for food safety and quality issues.
• Drive initiatives to reduce variability and improve process capability.

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets with a focus on cost control and productivity.
• Optimize resource utilization within FSQ, laboratory, and sanitation functions.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to all safety policies, procedures, and Safe Work Practices.
• Maintain compliance with GMPs and sanitation standards to protect product integrity.
• Proactively identify and address conditions that may impact food safety, quality, or employee safety.
• Support SRMP and related initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a food manufacturing environment with responsibility for quality systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive results, and develop talent.
• Strong knowledge of food industry quality systems, including HACCP, SQF, and FSMA.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills; bilingual Spanish is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and technical information.
• Ability to read and apply technical, regulatory, and scientific information.
• Demonstrated capability in data analysis, including basic statistical interpretation (rates, ratios, trends).

Ability to work extended hours, weekends, or off-shifts as business needs require.

The pay range for this position is $89,506 - $132,468 per year.