Food Safety Systems Manager

Bell & Evans is a family-owned, premium poultry producer and America s oldest branded chicken company. Known for pioneering 100% air-chilled chicken and setting industry standards for quality, food safety, and animal welfare, we re committed to doing things the right way - and delivering excellent chicken every day. Role Overview The Food Safety Systems Manager is a leadership role responsible for the development, execution, and continuous improvement of enterprise food safety systems across Bell & Evans operations. This position is ideal for an experienced food safety professional with a strong background in protein processing who enjoys leading complex initiatives, managing projects and people, and partnering cross-functionally to strengthen food safety programs. This role requires a leader who can operate with a high level of autonomy, technical expertise, and sound judgment , while influencing stakeholders across the organization. The ideal candidate brings experience working in complex protein processing environments and understands how to translate food safety standards into practical, operational systems. Due to the specialized experience required, we are open to experienced candidates who are willing to relocate for this opportunity. What You'll Do Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of enterprise food safety programs , ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Drive strategic food safety initiatives , partnering with operations, quality, sanitation, and maintenance teams to strengthen food safety systems and operational performance. Serve as project manager for key food safety initiatives , coordinating resources, tracking progress, and ensuring accountability across multiple stakeholders. Lead the evaluation, validation, and implementation of food safety interventions , partnering with operations, technical teams, and external vendors to strengthen pathogen control strategies. Evaluate operational processes and food safety data to identify risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement across production environments. Conduct internal assessments and support audit readiness , ensuring consistent execution of food safety systems and regulatory compliance. Partner with suppliers and co-packers to assess food safety risk , conduct audits, and ensure alignment with Bell & Evans food safety expectations. Lead, coach, and develop Food Safety team members , while fostering a strong food safety culture and driving continuous improvement. What We're Looking For Bachelor s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Poultry Science, or a related technical field. 7+ years of progressive food safety or quality leadership experience within the protein processing industry , ideally within complex production environments. Demonstrated experience leading people and managing cross-functional food safety initiatives or projects . Strong technical knowledge of HACCP systems, microbiology, regulatory food safety requirements, and pathogen intervention strategies . Certifications in Advanced HACCP and/or PCQI for Human Food required ; experience with GFSI standards (SQF preferred) . Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills , with the ability to evaluate food safety data and drive continuous improvement. Proven ability to communicate effectively with regulatory authorities, auditors, customers, and internal stakeholders while influencing cross-functional teams. Demonstrated ability to translate food safety standards into practical operational systems , partnering with plant teams to implement and sustain programs. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Why You ll Love Working Here We do things the right way, guided by our c ore values of T ransparency, R evolutionary thinking, U ncompromising standards, S ervice, and T eamwork We deliver excellent chicken by holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of quality, food safety, and integrity We offer exceptional benefits that support long-term well-being, balance, and financial security We re a family-owned company with a strong legacy and a forward-looking mindset focused on continuous improvement You ll work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your work has real impact and every role matters Ready to Make an Impact? If you are an experienced food safety leader with a background in protein processing who enjoys leading complex initiatives, strengthening food safety systems, and partnering across teams to drive meaningful improvements, we encourage you to apply. Join Bell & Evans and help us continue advancing our commitment to producing safe, high-quality food while upholding the standards that define our company.