Sr. Food Safety Lead

Senior Food Safety Lead

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

The Sr. Food Safety Lead is responsible for providing technical leadership and oversight of food safety programs across designated manufacturing facilities. This position leads the development, validation, verification, and continuous improvement of HACCP plans and food safety systems while ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. The Sr. Food Safety Lead serves as a key resource for food safety risk management, microbiological performance monitoring, corrective action programs, and cross-functional food safety initiatives to drive product safety and operational excellence.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and coordinate HACCP programs, including plan development, reassessment, CCP validation, verification, and food safety training.
• Conduct food safety risk assessments, identify vulnerabilities, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, GFSI, customer, and corporate requirements through audits, program verification, and regulatory monitoring.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Corporate FSQ teams to support validations, food safety programs, and risk mitigation activities.
• Analyze microbiological and sanitation data, lead CAPA investigations, support audits and inspections, and promote a strong food safety culture.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance experience in food or beverage manufacturing with HACCP leadership experience.
• HACCP Certification required; PCQI and other food safety certifications (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, ASQ) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, preventive controls, USDA/FDA regulations, microbiology, sanitation, risk assessment, and RTE food manufacturing.
• Proven project management, analytical, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills.

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $68,000 to $113,000 annually, with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [email protected].