QA Manager- 1st Shift (2865)

About Us

Ever since the small beginnings as Thielmann's, a small sausage shop in Sheboygan, Wisconsin back in 1947, Old Wisconsin Sausage has become synonymous with quality sausage. Since Carl Buddig and Company acquired the business, we have been a family operation. 

At Old Wisconsin Sausage, we are exceptionally proud of our family of employees and the commitment they show every day! We count on every person doing their job as it is the key to our success. We also pride ourselves on the long tenure we have with many of our employees. 

In addition to taking pride in our work, we celebrate our success and give back to our community. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through contributions, volunteer work and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the community that has supported us over the years. 

Join the Old Wisconsin Proud family where tradition meets innovation and our passion for quality products is matched with our commitment to our people and community!

Summary: This position is responsible for managing, planning, coordinating, and developing the Old Wisconsin Sausage Quality Assurance Program to ensure the quality and consistency of all in‑process and finished meat and poultry products in accordance with USDA regulations. The role ensures that all processes impacting product quality are performed consistently and correctly, in alignment with established plant procedures. This position works closely with operations, production, and other management personnel to maintain regulatory compliance, uphold company standards, and support continuous improvement in all food‑safety and quality‑related functions.

Backup / Coverage: Quality Assurance Supervisor

Responsibilities/Duties: include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Minimum expectations include but are not limited to:

• Manage and monitor the Quality Assurance processes for supplier selection, inspection, and approval, ensuring all suppliers meet company quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Audit supplier manufacturing processes and verify compliance with specified standards during on‑site evaluations.
• Interpret and communicate the company’s quality assurance philosophy to key personnel across the organization.
• Develop new and improved approaches to resolve issues identified during quality assurance activities.
• Review and verify daily HACCP documentation to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance
• Provide detailed guidance for scheduling, conducting, and completing internal facility audits.
• Assist with trending, investigating, and resolving customer complaints to support continuous improvement.
• Prepare and conduct training programs for plant employees on GMPs, HACCP, SSOPs, the Company Allergen Policy, and other food‑safety or quality‑related programs.
• Review all data collected during quality assurance activities to ensure consistency with company policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations.
• Keep management informed of significant QA issues, trends, or developments, as well as corrective actions underway.
• Train QA personnel to perform in‑plant process inspections, internal audits, and related quality functions in accordance with the plant’s auditing program.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date working knowledge of government and industry quality assurance standards, regulations, and codes.
• Play an active role in plant quality improvement initiatives and overall continuous improvement efforts.
• Develop and implement quality assurance training programs for key personnel in collaboration with plant management.
• Investigate customer complaints regarding product quality and provide timely follow‑up, documentation, and corrective action recommendations.
• Oversee laboratory operations, including testing protocols, procedures, supply inventory, lab safety, and coordination with external laboratories.
• Interpret laboratory test results and data to support product testing requirements and quality decision‑making.

Supervisory Responsibility:  Yes.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Licenses, Certifications, Etc:

• • Bachelor’s Degree required.
  • Minimum of 5–7 years of plant Quality Assurance/Quality Control experience in food manufacturing.
  • Strong background in meat and poultry processing, including detailed knowledge of USDA regulations and requirements.
  • Demonstrated expertise in HACCP, GMPs, Allergens, SSOPs, Recall/Withdrawal procedures, and regulatory compliance.
  • Previous experience conducting and supporting plant audits and inspections, including third‑party audits, and city, state, or federal regulatory inspections.

Physical Requirements:

Individuals may need to sit or stand regularly. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or Lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally. Specific vision requirements for this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to the manufacturing areas where under certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment such as a bump cap and mandatory hearing protection. Primary environment: ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment. The noise level in the production areas, work environment is loud.

The above statement reflects the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation describes and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work that may be inherent in the occupation.