Food Safety Team Leader

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis and must not require the Company's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

At Hill’s we have a purpose to transform the lives of millions of pet families through pioneering innovation, science-led nutrition, and the best and brightest people. If you’re interested in work that matters, fueled by passion for pets, we invite you to apply.

Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Our decades of science and research guide us in creating nutrition that’s a step ahead so pets and pet parents can enjoy every day together. As the US #1 Veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health.

Role Summary

As the Quality Food Safety Team Leader at our Clinton facility, you will lead the Food Safety team to ensure our stringent company quality standards are consistently met. You will drive the execution of the Plant Food Safety Program, oversee continuous improvement initiatives, and champion our cleaning and sanitation processes. By ensuring rigorous compliance with food safety regulations and leading critical audits, you will directly safeguard our product integrity and our mission to provide the best nutrition for pets everywhere

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution, continuous improvement, and documentation of the Plant Food Safety Program, including HACCP, FSMA, CCP, FDA, and Product Release requirements.
• Conduct thorough investigations of Food Safety, Environmental, and Microbiology non-conformance issues utilizing the CAPA process to implement effective solutions.
• Oversee plant cleaning, sanitation programs, pest control, and environmental microbial sampling plans to ensure compliance with Corporate Quality SOPs.
• Lead internal GMP and quality system audits, while successfully assisting with and managing regulatory and external inspections (e.g., FDA, USDA, SQF, State).
• Develop and deliver engaging food safety training to plant operations teams and collaborate with Plant Engineers to ensure proper Sanitary Equipment Food Design for new capital projects

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field.
• 3+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, with 1+year(s) in a food safety, compliance, or quality role within the food or pet nutrition industry.
• Proven experience managing cleaning and sanitation programs, HACCP, FSMA, CAPA processes, and applying knowledge of FDA/USDA regulations.
• Direct experience leading internal and external audits, along with prior supervisory experience demonstrating the ability to guide and mentor teams.
• Ability to meet physical demands, including working in extreme temperatures, bending, climbing, lifting up to 55 lbs, and wearing proper personal protective equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), HACCP, SQF/ISO 22000, and/or cGMP certifications.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience paired with a strong background in microbiology.
• Proficiency in Quality Management Systems, SAP or any similar ERP system, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and strong experience with Lean Six Sigma or Statistical Process Control methodologies.