Corporate SQF Practitioner

The SQF Practitioner is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Safe Quality Food (SQF) System across all company facilities. This role serves as the designated SQF Practitioner as defined by the SQF Code and is accountable for ensuring ongoing compliance with SQF requirements, preparing facilities for certification and surveillance audits, and driving food safety and quality excellence throughout the organization. The SQF Practitioner will work closely with plant leadership, operations, sanitation, maintenance, procurement, and FSQA teams to ensure food safety programs are effectively implemented and maintained across all locations

• 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.