R & D Quality and Compliance Specialist

Join the TEAM at Western Smokehouse Partners!

We’re more than just a leader in the better-for-you meat snack industry-we’re a team driven by quality, innovation and a passion for great meat sticks and jerky. With eight facilities across five states, we’re setting the standard in excellence for our co-manufacturing and private label customers. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for highly motivated individuals who want to be part of an industry-leading company that values contribution, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The R&D Quality and Compliance Specialist is responsible for supporting product development, pilot plant operations, food safety and quality programs, regulatory compliance, and technical training across manufacturing facilities. This position serves as a key liaison between Research & Development, Quality Assurance, Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and customers to ensure products are developed, produced, and commercialized in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

The role leads process validation support, training initiatives, and food safety and quality assurance documentation and compliance. This role supports pilot plant operations and sample production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Quality & Food Safety Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain food safety and quality practices within the pilot plant environment.
• Ensure pilot plant activities comply with HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, allergen control, and food defense programs.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections and sanitation verification activities.
• Assist with environmental monitoring, product testing, and validation studies.
• Support shelf-life studies, pH and water activity testing, and product quality evaluations.
• Investigate quality concerns and participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Ensure all sample products meet company quality, food safety, and customer requirements.
• Assist with regulatory review of formulations, ingredients statements, and product labels.
• Verify compliance with USDA-FSIS, FDA, and applicable state, federal, and international regulations.

Technical Services & Manufacturing Training Support

• Provide technical support to manufacturing facilities during product launches and process improvements.
• Assist facilities with troubleshooting formulation, processing, quality, and food safety issues.
• Support validation activities including thermal processing, lethality, and shelf life studies.
• Participate in customer projects, technical reviews, and commercialization meetings.
• Assist in training production employees on product specifications, food safety requirements, GMPs, allergen controls, and technical processing procedures.
• Support onboarding and technical development of manufacturing personnel.
• Create training materials, work instructions, SOPs, and technical reference documents.

Product Development & Pilot Plant Operations

• Help coordinate and execute pilot plant trials for new and existing ready-to-eat meat snack products.
• Assist in producing customer, sales, validation, and benchmark samples according to established formulas and processing procedures.
• Scale formulations from pilot plant to commercial manufacturing environments.
• Assist with product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Maintain pilot plant equipment and ensure proper sanitation and operational readiness.
• Document trial results and provide recommendations for process improvements and product optimization.
• Help order and manage pilot plant ingredients, packaging materials, and supplies when applicable.

Documentation & Record Management

• Maintain accurate records of pilot plant trials, validations, training, quality checks, and regulatory documentation.
• Ensure records are audit-ready and comply with company retention requirements.
• Generate technical reports and communicate findings to management and project teams.
• Support change management documentation and product commercialization records.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Animal Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and industry experience may be considered.

Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in meat processing, food manufacturing, research and development, quality assurance, or technical services preferred.
• Experience with USDA-inspected meat operations strongly preferred.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and product development preferred.
• Experience with HACCP and food safety systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of meat processing technologies and ingredient functionality.
• Understanding of USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and food safety principles.
• Ability to develop and scale formulations.
• Knowledge of quality evaluation and sensory techniques
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.
• Effective presentation, training, and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ERP/product formulation systems.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.

Based in Galesburg, IL Pilot Plant with occasional travel up to 20%

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Must be able to stand for 8–10 hours per shift.
• Must lift 50+ pounds repeatedly throughout the shift.
• Repetitive motion and physical activity are required.
• Work is performed in a refrigerated/cold environment.
• PPE must be worn at all times in production areas.

Benefits Offered

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Flexible schedule
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Compliance and Safety

This position must comply with all company policies, SOPs, GMPs, OSHA, USDA, and FDA regulations. The Processing Team Lead is responsible for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment, ensuring adherence to food safety standards, and immediately reporting any concerns related to employee safety, equipment, product quality, or regulatory compliance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Western Smokehouse Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local labor laws.