Overview
Finding the right place to grow your career isn't easy, so we're here to help by sharing why Vital Farms can be a great next step. We focus on Conscious Capitalism to drive decisions that benefit all stakeholders and support an innovative, values-based culture. We invite you to join our Crew and help us change the world 108 square feet at a time.
At Vital Farms, we're proud of the diverse communities we serve and the stakeholders who help bring our purpose to life. We're committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where every crew member feels valued.
Your Role
As the Vital Farms Quality Manager, you are passionate about food safety, quality, compliance, and training others. You are the designated plant champion to instill training and expectations to crew members that promote the production of safe, quality products in a sanitary environment. You care for people and love to create good processes. You are rewarded by creating a culture of compliance, where crew members are trained and empowered to keep themselves and others working with the best systems and processes. You are a natural leader willing to step in to hold people accountable and speak up when you see something that could be done better. You collaborate with leaders to teach our crew, support the needs of the business, and stay aware of best practices regarding food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, and regulatory compliance, while acting as a brand ambassador of Vital Farms' core values.
What You'll Do
- Champion Food Safety & Quality – Serve as the primary crew member responsible for Food Safety, Quality, Sanitation, and Regulatory Compliance at Egg Central Station, ensuring every egg that leaves our facility reflects the Vital Farms promise.
- Lead with Collaboration – As a key member of the ECS Leadership Team, partner with Operations, Maintenance, and SRW to foster a culture of teamwork, Food Safety, and efficiency, supporting the broader vision of Vital Farms.
- Design & Maintain Best-in-Class Programs – Develop, implement, and continuously improve Food Safety and Quality programs, policies, and procedures that meet regulatory and customer requirements while embracing industry best practices, with support from the Director of FSQA.
- Coach & Grow the Quality and Sanitation Teams – Lead, mentor, and work alongside our crew in the lab and on the plant floor, building a strong, engaged team that protects the brand and delights customers.
- Educate & Empower Crew Members – Create and deliver training on Food Safety and Quality topics (e.g., GMPs, HACCP, Food Defense, Allergens), equipping all crew with the knowledge and skills to carry out their work with excellence.
- Own Audit & Compliance Leadership – Serve as the SQF Practitioner and Internal Audit Team Leader, ensuring readiness for internal and external audits and representing Vital Farms with regulators, customers, and vendors.
- Protect Product Integrity – Oversee the final disposition of all products at ECS, ensuring materials that do not meet specifications are properly identified, reported, and resolved in alignment with company policy.
- Drive Continuous Improvement – Monitor data, review production paperwork, and analyze customer feedback to identify trends, resolve issues, and recommend improvements that strengthen our Food Safety culture and systems.
- Ensure Operational Excellence – Confirm all audits, inspections, and corrective actions are completed on time and to standard; oversee the maintenance of lab equipment and supplies to support reliable testing.
- Support Growth & Innovation – Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure Food Safety and Quality considerations are actively integrated into new business opportunities and innovations.
What You Bring to the Table
This role is based onsite in Springfield, Missouri. Candidates must reside within a reasonable daily commuting distance.Bachelor of Science degree, preferably in Food Science, microbiology, or chemistry and / or equivalent work experience5+ years of relevant experience, with a focus on compliance and regulatory requirements and industry standards and best practicesMinimum 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity required, with a proven ability to develop and mentor quality team membersAbility to travel 10-20% travel for company events, team meetings, company onboarding and other business needsComprehensive knowledge of Food Safety and Quality programs including HACCPTechnical knowledge of analytical test methods. Knowledge of quality tools, quality trend reporting, advanced computer and writing skills, regulatory and compliance guidelines.Be FSMA PCQI, SQF Practitioner and HACCP Certified. Ideally will have developed and implemented all paperwork and training as it relates to FSMA Regulations and SQF Code Certification.Ability for strategic innovation thinking and strong communication skills required.Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus.Have a positive can-do attitude, good organizational skills, and the ability to work well both independently and as a member of a team.Proficient Microsoft Office skillsStrong troubleshooting and problem resolution skillsAbility to communicate with others in an effective and concise mannerAbility to work well under pressure and meet deadlines through prioritization of tasksConsistent and punctual attendance is an essential function of the positionDemonstrate teamwork and support for colleagues; value the contributions of othersYou may not meet every requirement; strengths outside listed qualifications will be consideredWhat We Bring to the Table
A fast-paced, energetic environment with passionate people who are leading a movement to bring ethically produced food to the table.Competitive pay and benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Paid Parental Leave)Generous retirement contributions : 401(k) + 3% Contribution from Day 1Free eggs and butter, along with friends and family discountsFun team SWAG and professional development opportunitiesAt Vital Farms, compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors. A reasonable estimate of the current starting annual base salary for this position is $115,000 - $130,000 . Hiring at the maximum end of the range would not be typical to allow for potential future salary growth.
Who We Are
Vital Farms, a Certified B Corporation, offers ethically produced foods nationwide. Started on a single farm in Austin, Texas, in 2007, Vital Farms works with 350 family farms and is the leading U.S. brand of pasture-raised eggs by retail dollar sales. Our products—shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, and liquid whole eggs—are sold in over 24,000 stores nationwide.
Vital Farms focuses on humane treatment of farm animals and sustainable farming practices. As a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, we prioritize the long-term benefits of stakeholders, including farmers and suppliers, customers, communities, crew members, and stockholders.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity
To fulfill Vital Farms mission, we are committed to building teams that reflect diverse perspectives and lived experiences. We strive to create a welcoming environment rooted in equal opportunity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need, and we do not discriminate on protected characteristics.
Ready to Join Us?
Together, we're cultivating an environment where every Crew member can thrive and know they're part of something bigger—improving lives through ethical food. If this role sounds like the right fit, we encourage you to apply. Even if you don't meet every qualification, you might be exactly what we need.
Next Steps : Shortly after you complete your application, you'll receive a follow-up email about potential next steps. If you don't see it, please check your spam filter.
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