Research Lab Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Who we are and what we value:
Feed Energy works at the intersection of feed, fuel, and agriculture, building a nearly four-decade legacy of stewardship in various industries. We support how America nourishes its people and powers its economy. Our team is made up of growth-minded individuals, who are dedicated to transforming global practices in feeding and fueling, driving innovation across the industries we serve. We create circular economies, developing sustainable, low-carbon products and processes. Join us if you're looking for a dynamic environment to contribute to shaping a sustainable future for feeding and fueling the world.
We help feed the world by providing safe, energy-based nutrition solutions.
Creativity - Stewardship - Impact - Integrity - Healthy Relationships
What we are looking for:
The Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager is an individual contributor position responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Management Systems across all Feed Energy plants. This role ensures that Feed Energy products meet all applicable regulatory, customer, and internal quality standards. As the company's Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and Advanced HACCP-certified leader, the FSQA Manager drives a culture of quality and food safety throughout the organization and serves as the primary liaison for all internal and external quality and food safety audits. This position reports to the VP of Technology & Innovation (R&D).
What you will do:
• Act as the company's Quality and Food Safety Leader (Q&FS Leader), Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and hold Advanced HACCP certification to conduct hazard analysis reviews at all Feed Energy facilities.
• Develop, implement, review, maintain, and continuously improve the Quality & Food Safety Management System (QFSMS) across all Feed Energy plants, including food safety plans, HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, and corrective action systems.
• Lead and manage the Internal Auditing System, including training of internal auditors, maintaining the internal audit schedule, conducting audits, recording results, and driving corrective actions to improve scores.
• Manage all external audits including Safe Feed/Safe Food audits, customer audits, and regulatory food safety audits; serve as the primary point of contact for third-party and regulatory inspectors.
• Champion the culture of quality and food safety throughout all departments including Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, Logistics, and other organizational functions.
• Develop and deliver regular quality and food safety training programs for operations, engineering, and other teams (e.g., quality procedures, safe feed/safe food protocols, cGMP, HACCP awareness).
• Oversee the environmental health and safety program as it relates to food safety and product quality; maintain compliance with company policies, OSHA, FDA, EPA, cGMP, and local, county, and state government regulations.
• Regularly prepare and report quarterly and annual quality data, trends, corrective actions, targets, plant quality control metrics, and internal audit results; set improvement targets to drive continuous progress.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Logistics, Sales, and the Lab Manager to conduct root cause analyses on quality-related issues and communicate findings to the relevant teams and executive leadership.
• Drive process verification activities at the plants in collaboration with operations teams to ensure consistent product quality.
• Partner with the Lab Manager to ensure quality control test results are properly interpreted, trended, and acted upon at the plant level.
• Provide input during the budget planning process for QA and food safety activities; ensure expenses are coded appropriately to maintain a balanced budget.
• Coordinate with the Environmental Health & Safety team on regulatory compliance activities related to quality and food safety.
• Demonstrate Feed Energy company values in all everyday work interactions.
• All other duties as assigned.
Requirements
What you will need:
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Chemistry, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in quality assurance and food/feed safety, preferably in an agricultural, feed, or food manufacturing environment. Multi-site or corporate level QA experience preferred.
• Certifications required within 6 months of hire:
Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.
Internal Food Safety Auditor (IFSA) certification required.
Advanced HACCP certification required or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience managing food safety management systems (FSMA, HACCP, Safe Feed/Safe Food or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and cGMP regulatory requirements.
• Experience conducting and managing internal and external quality and food safety audits.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and LIMS.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to train and influence across all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical thinking with ability to conduct root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
What we provide, because we care!

• Full benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability
• Generous 401k match (up to 6%)
• Profit-sharing for all employees
• Continuing education
• Annual bonuses based on performance
• Wellness reimbursement up to $300 a year
• 8 Paid Holidays

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored visa support. The company will not sponsor employment visas at this time.