SQF Practitioner (2772) in Montgomery, Illinois at Carl Buddig & Company

About Us:

Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin.

As a third-generation family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.

At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals.

Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years.

Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities.

Position Summary:

The SQF Practitioner is responsible for developing, administering, and ensuring compliance with SQF and Quality systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensures all products are packaged in a safe, quality manner.
• Performs daily finished product quality inspections.
• Ensure adherence of required quality and food safety laws, regulations, and company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ensures compliance to and audits HACCP plans.
• Performs GMP audits and ensures compliance with applicable regulations and company policies.
• Performs internal food safety and quality audits.
• Coordinate third part audits.
• Implement, maintain, and improve SQF (Safety Quality Food) program.
• Develop SQF procedures and work instructions.
• Provide training to plant operations personnel on quality and SQF programs to promote the safe and cost-effective production of safe and quality product.
• Verify and validate SQF programs and procedures.
• Evaluate food safety concerns in facility and implement programs to eliminate hazards.
• Function as an information source for other departments when critical quality issues arise.
• Prepare plant evaluation reports and submit to Quality Assurance Manager.
• Assist in development of special department projects and work in conjunction with Quality Assurance Manager.
• Communicate to relevant employees all information essential to ensure effective implementation and maintenance of SQF. Also ensures that all staff are informed of their responsibilities to report food safety problems to personnel.
• Offer technical assistance in developing and implementing the training needs of employees performing functions affecting product legality, safety and quality.
• Ensuring that the developed food safety plan as well as its fundamentals are implemented and maintained. As well as continuous improvement management system with scheduled reviews in accordance with the requirements of this SQF Code.
• Reviews non-conformities and coordinates corrective actions (i.e. returned goods, in-process goods, etc.).
• Ensures that SQF records are maintained.
• Ensures that all communications regarding quality performance between the SQF team and representative managers are satisfactory.
• Supports supplier continuous improvement and their evaluation.
• Assists in documenting the food safety policy and procedures.
• Assists in the review and verification of daily HACCP and pre-requisite documents.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent required. Strongly prefer bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Minimum three years of Food Safety or Quality Control experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably in a meat processing
  plant.
• Must have HACCP and SQF certifications.
• Must have the ability to identify and assess potential food safety hazards and quality defects.
• Ability to effectively train essential plant employees in HACCP principles and SQF principles.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to affect change through indirect leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to write SOPs and work instructions.
• Demonstrate discretion with sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong decision-making skills.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of staff within the facility.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work in temperatures of 40 degrees or less.
• Must be able to stand for 8-9 hours per day.
• Must be able to stand, bend, stoop, squat as needed for responsibilities and other miscellaneous duties.
• Must be able to inspect product using sensory abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to read, write and speak English.
• Ability to write reports and procedures.
• Ability to effectively present procedural training and respond to questions from the trainees.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must have working knowledge of all Microsoft Office programs.
• Must be able to work 40 or more hours per week.
• Must be able to work mandatory overtime if necessary.
• Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's).

Pay range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000 depending on experience.

Benefits for this role include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, FSA, HSA, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, Vacation & PTO, and Tuition Reimbursement. There is also a potential for a discretionary bonus this bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Employment Decisions Statement

Carl Buddig and Company does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, performance evaluations, discipline, or termination. All employment decisions are made by trained HR professionals and company leaders to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act.