Position Summary
Standlee Premium Western Forage is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Safety & Quality Compliance Specialist to serve as the primary safety and quality resource during night shift plant operations. This is a unique hybrid role that carries equal responsibility for employee safety oversight and product quality assurance, reporting directly to both the Safety Manager and the Quality Manager.
The Safety & Quality Compliance Specialist acts as the eyes and ears of the Safety and Quality departments during off-shift hours. This individual will conduct routine plant safety observations, investigate near misses, perform laboratory and product quality testing, monitor manufacturing processes for quality concerns, and actively engage with employees to maintain high standards throughout the facility.
This position is designed for a self-driven, highly accountable professional who thrives working independently with minimal supervision and who takes personal ownership of safety and quality outcomes. The ideal candidate does not wait to be directed — they identify problems before they become injuries, product failures, customer complaints, or regulatory concerns, and they follow those problems through to resolution.
This is not a desk job. Success in this role means walking the plant, engaging with people, asking questions, and driving continuous improvement every shift.
This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be required by his/her supervisor.
Key Performance Areas (Essential Functions of the Position)
Safety Responsibilities (approximately 50%)
- Conduct routine safety observations and inspections throughout the facility each shift.
- Identify unsafe conditions, unsafe behaviors, and workplace hazards.
- Investigate and thoroughly document near misses, incidents, and safety concerns.
- Assist in the development and tracking of corrective actions resulting from investigations.
- Verify proper PPE usage and adherence to established safety procedures and protocols.
- Monitor housekeeping standards and overall plant conditions throughout the shift.
- Support safety audits, compliance initiatives, and regulatory requirements.
- Promote active employee engagement in safety programs and hazard reporting.
- Communicate urgent or critical safety issues immediately to leadership.
- Maintain accurate, organized safety records, reports, and documentation.
- Assist with Job Safety Analysis (JSA) reviews and updates as needed.
- Coach and support employees in safe work practices during normal shift operations.
Quality Responsibilities (approximately 50%)
- Perform product sampling, inspections, and laboratory testing per established protocols.
- Conduct moisture, density, weight, appearance, and other required quality evaluations.
- Monitor manufacturing processes for quality deviations and compliance concerns.
- Verify finished products meet company specifications and established quality standards.
- Complete quality reports, inspection logs, and all required testing documentation accurately.
- Identify, document, and communicate non-conforming materials or finished products.
- Assist with root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to quality failures.
- Support food safety, traceability, FSMA, GMP, and regulatory compliance programs.
- Monitor product handling, storage, and manufacturing practices throughout the plant.
- Communicate quality trends, concerns, and findings to the Quality Manager in a timely manner.
- Assist with quality improvement initiatives and continuous improvement programs.
- Investigate customer complaint samples or product holds when requested by the quality team.
Key Success Factors for Position
The Safety & Quality Compliance Specialist is Standlee's on-shift subject matter expert for both safety and quality during night operations. Success in this role is measured not only by completing assigned tasks, but by preventing problems before they escalate.
You will know you are succeeding when:
- Near misses are being caught and reported — not hidden.
- Quality issues are identified on the floor before reaching the customer.
- Employees are held accountable to safety and quality standards.
- Your documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
- Plant leadership has confidence in what is happening on shift.
This role is not a good fit for someone who:
- Needs constant direction and supervision.
- Prefers to stay in one place and avoid difficult conversations.
- Is uncomfortable addressing employee concerns on the spot.
- Views documentation as an afterthought.
- Avoids accountability or ownership of outcomes.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This position requires a very specific type of person. Technical skills can be trained. The right character and drive cannot. We are looking for someone who brings the following to every shift:
Character Traits:
- Self-driven — does not wait to be told what to do
- Highly self-motivated with personal accountability
- Exceptional attention to detail • Excellent observation and problem-solving skills
- Integrity and credibility with employees at all levels
- Ownership mindset — follows problems through to resolution
- Comfortable addressing difficult situations directly and professionally
- Committed to continuous improvement
Work Style:
- Self-driven — does not wait to be told what to do
- Highly self-motivated with personal accountability
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent observation and problem-solving skills
- Integrity and credibility with employees at all levels
- Ownership mindset — follows problems through to resolution
- Comfortable addressing difficult situations directly and professionally
- Committed to continuous improvement
Experiences / Education Requirements
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in a manufacturing, production, or industrial environment.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision during off-shift hours.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient basic computer skills and ability to complete accurate documentation and reports.
- Ability to make sound, timely decisions and effectively prioritize work.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Preferred
- Experience in food manufacturing, feed production, agriculture, or related industrial environments.
- Previous experience in a safety, quality assurance, laboratory, or compliance role.
- Experience conducting plant inspections, safety audits, investigations, or quality audits.
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations, FSMA requirements, GMP standards, or quality management systems.
- Experience collecting and analyzing data to support operational decision-making.
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification, or equivalent safety training.
- Experience with laboratory testing equipment and quality evaluation procedures.
Working Conditions
General Manufacturing Environment:
Work is regularly performed inside the plant and occasionally in the surrounding grounds and facilities. Because of this, employees are frequently exposed to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, wind, rain and snow. Lighting varies based on the season, weather and conditions in the plant. Employees regularly work near moving mechanical parts, material handling equipment and are exposed to ergonomic hazards, noise and dust.
Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
While performing the duties of the job the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, read, write and communicate in fluent English. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms along with frequent lifting, pushing/pulling of items 30-50 pounds, and operating machinery or equipment. There is occasional climbing, kneeling, and working in confined spaces.
Professional Conduct:
Each employee of Standlee Premium Western Forage has a responsibility to know, to understand and to abide by Workplace Professional Standards of Conduct. Professional Conduct includes Customer Service, Courtesy, Ethics, Safety, Teamwork, Responsibility, Accountability, confidentiality, and Professionalism.
Travel Requirements
Travel to local Standlee locations as needed (by vehicle)
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
