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Meat Science Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Meat Department Manager

Webster City, IA · On-site

Meat Department Manager Department: Meat FLSA : Exempt General Function : Sets the department ... Must have the ability to do logical or scientific thinking to solve problems with several abstract ...

Hy-Vee

Meat Department Manager

Webster City, IA · On-site

Meat Department Manager. * Department: Meat. * FLSA: Exempt. General Function: * Sets the ... Must have the ability to do logical or scientific thinking to solve problems with several abstract ...

Sysco

Sales Consultant - Salt Lake City, UT

Nevada, IA · On-site

$8.1K - $76K/mo

... science or related studies Experience * 2-year prior food service and/or sales background strongly preferred. Professional Skills * Deep expertise of meat and seafood category or restaurant/culinary ...

All JobsMeat Science JobsMeat Science Jobs in Ames, IA

Meat Science information

See Ames, IA salary details

$9

$17

$23

How much do meat science jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat science in Ames, IA is $17.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.33 and $19.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is meat science?

A Meat Science job involves the study of meat production, processing, safety, and quality control. Professionals in this field work in various roles, including research, product development, food safety, and quality assurance. They apply principles of biology, chemistry, and engineering to improve meat products and ensure they meet industry and regulatory standards. Careers in meat science can be found in the food industry, government agencies, and academia.

What does someone in meat science do?

Professionals in Meat Science often split their time between laboratory analysis, quality assurance activities, and collaboration with production teams to ensure product safety and quality. Daily tasks may include conducting tests on meat samples, monitoring processing conditions, analyzing sensory qualities, and implementing food safety protocols. They also frequently document results, develop new processing methods, and may assist with training staff on best practices. Working closely with other departments such as R&D, operations, and regulatory affairs is common to maintain compliance and innovate product offerings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in meat science?

To thrive in Meat Science, you need a deep understanding of animal biology, food safety, and meat processing, typically supported by a degree in animal science, food science, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, HACCP certification, and specialized meat quality assessment systems is often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills are key soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure the production of safe, high-quality meat products while enabling effective collaboration with production, research, and regulatory teams.

How much does a meat scientist make?

A meat scientist's salary typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced roles or those with specialized skills in food safety or quality assurance may earn higher salaries, and many work in research facilities, processing plants, or academia.

What can you do with a meat science degree?

A meat science degree prepares individuals for careers in meat processing, quality assurance, research, and product development within the meat industry. Graduates can work as meat graders, quality control technicians, research scientists, or in regulatory roles, often requiring knowledge of food safety standards and processing techniques.

What job categories do people searching Meat Science jobs in Ames, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Meat Science jobs in Ames, IA are:

Meat Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Science job openings in Ames, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,411 per year, or $17 per hour.

Supplier Auditor-Food Safety & Quality

Ankeny, IA • On-site

Mom's Meals
Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 24 rated food delivery companies

People enjoy working here

Paid breaks

Respectful managers

Learn more about Mom's Mealsexternal

$79K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

The  Supplier Auditor applies knowledge, technical skills, and expertise to effectively conduct vendor food safety audits to ensure the quality and food safety of Mom's Meals.  This position is responsible for managing the audit program which includes performance of onsite vendor assessments, identification of risks, and timely closure to documented findings.  This position works closely with Purchasing personnel to manage vendors within the supply chain. This position reports directly to the VP of Technical Services.
 
Salary Range: $79,386-109,155 plus 15% annual bonus
 
Remote hires will be required to travel to our headquarters in Ankeny, IA (company paid) on their first day for orientation.
 
At this time, we are NOT considering applicants that require immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc.
 
Benefits
Our employees enjoy a generous package of benefits that we are thrilled to provide, and feel is part of what makes us different as an employer. We value our team members, and this is one way we can show it.
 
Benefits include:
-PTO, holiday pay and holiday of choice
-401(k) match
-Life insurance
-Short-term disability79,386-
-Health, dental and vision insurance
-Maternity/paternity leave
-Health savings account (HSA)
-Flex spending accounts (FSA) - health and dependent
Position Responsibilities may include, but not limited to
  • Schedule and conduct onsite vendor food safety and quality assessments through collaboration with Internal Stakeholders for new potential vendors
  • Maintain current supplier approval schedule and conduct re-evaluation audits per the defined frequency
  • Thoroughly assess vendor risks as it relates to various product types (i.e., Meat, poultry, egg, dairy, baked goods, fruit/vegetables, food additives/ingredients, etc.) and applicable regulations (i.e. USDA and FDA) and Quality Standards (i.e. SQF, BRC, etc.)
  • Write reports and communicate findings in a timely manner to execute prompt closure to identified nonconformances
  • Follow up with suppliers on corrective action plans as needed to ensure the appropriate level of action is taken to eliminate nonconformance
  • Work with suppliers to improve their overall service level, including compliance to specifications and COA requirements
  • Identify, measure, implement and report on continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain program (i.e. Supplier Performance metrics, etc.)
  • Further develop and evolve food safety and quality risk assessment criteria and supplier qualification programs, assist with HACCP and Food Safety Plans as needed
  • Assist in analyzing complaint data as it relates to raw materials to identify trends and opportunities with vendors to drive continuous improvement
  • Assure programs, policies and procedures are compliant and kept current
  • Input supplier data within the computerized quality management system to ensure current information is maintained 
Required Skills and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Meat Science or similar science degree
  • 5+ years' experience in a quality assurance role in a food manufacturing facility
  • Strong technical expertise in auditing skills
  • Prior experience auditing food companies
  • Knowledge of food safety mitigation processing techniques to reduce microbial, chemical, and foreign material hazards
  • Familiarity with various industries such as Dairy, Meat and Poultry, Egg, Seafood, Food Additives
  • Excellent knowledge of HACCP & HARPC and experience in implementation of Food Safety Management Plans
  • Certification by a recognized HACCP training provider (Meat, Poultry)
  • Working knowledge of regulations and guidelines such as FDA and USDA titles 21 and 9 for GMPs and quality programs
  • Ability to work autonomously to conduct audits as needed
  • Ability to communicate persuasively and passionately about the need for food safety & quality
  • Proficient use of Microsoft Office programs
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong initiative and ability to work as part of a team; communicate effectively
  • Excellent organization, time management and decision-making skills
  • Excellent verbal and written skills
  • Ability to travel up to 75% 
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Prior work experience as an auditor within FSSC 22000, SQF or BRC audit schemes or experience working in a certified facility
  • Previous experience as a lead auditor or ASQ Certified Auditor
 
Physical Requirements
  • Repetitive motions that include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
  • Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting, remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods
  • Visual perception to perform job including peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
Company Overview
 
Mom's Meals is a home-delivered meal service providing fully prepared, refrigerated meal solutions direct to homes nationwide since 1999. We provide seniors, patients recovering post-discharge and those managing a chronic condition with tailored nutrition solutions to manage their specific needs. If you are passionate about the well-being of others and have a strong sense of community, Mom's Meals could be the place for you! We are a family operated business looking for fun, compassionate, and friendly people who want to make a difference in the lives of others.
 
 
EEO
 
Mom's Meals complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws. All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regards to race, religion, national origin, ancestry, color, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or military status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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