Our client is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Manager to lead food safety and quality initiatives at a large food manufacturing facility in Appleton, WI. This role is ideal for a strong food manufacturing leader who can drive accountability, influence operations, and build a culture where food safety is owned across the organization - not just by the FSQ team. The successful candidate will bring strong technical knowledge along with the leadership skills needed to develop teams, implement strategy, and drive meaningful change across a 500-person manufacturing plant. Key Responsibilities - Lead Food Safety & Quality initiatives across the manufacturing facility, with a primary focus on strengthening the overall food safety culture. - Develop and execute a strategic approach to food safety and quality that goes beyond compliance and drives sustainable behavioral and operational change. - Partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, and other plant leaders to establish shared accountability and ownership for food safety. - Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of 3 direct reports supporting approximately 40–60 employees across the broader FSQ organization. - Influence employees and leaders across the plant to embed food safety into day-to-day operations and decision-making. - Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety, quality, regulatory, and company standards. - Oversee quality management systems and processes, with familiarity with systems such as SAP preferred. - Identify opportunities to improve food safety, quality, and operational performance and lead initiatives to address gaps. - Build strong relationships across the plant and serve as a trusted leader and resource for food safety and quality. - Develop team members through coaching, accountability, and continuous improvement. Requirements - 5–7+ years of management experience within food manufacturing. - Bachelor’s degree required; ideally in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline. - Strong background in food safety and HACCP. - Prior quality management experience; familiarity with systems such as SAP is preferred. - Significant food manufacturing experience is highly important. - Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold teams accountable in a manufacturing environment. - Strong change-management and influencing skills, with the ability to drive food safety ownership across Operations, Maintenance, and the broader plant. - Experience developing and executing strategies rather than simply managing compliance. - A proactive, hands-on leader who can influence the floor, build relationships, and create lasting improvements in food safety culture. This is a high-visibility opportunity to make a significant impact at a large manufacturing facility where improving food safety culture is a key business priority. The successful candidate will have strong upward mobility potential, including the opportunity to progress into regional leadership as the organization continues to grow. Key Details - Compensation: $140,000 base salary + eligibility to earn a 15% bonus - Benefits: Benefits available Day 1, including a 6% 401(k) match. Relocation assistance is available depending on the candidate. Medical, dental, and vision insurance available. - Location: Appleton, WI - Work Model: Onsite - Employment Type: Direct Hire If this position interests you and you meet the requirements, apply today! Thank you, Kelly Wagner Director