Job Details

Job Title: Corporate Specification and Label Manager

Location: Corporate - Tyler, TX

Department: Product Development

Reports To: Sr. Director of Product Development

Direct Reports: Specifications & Labels Manager (2), Specifications & Labels Supervisor (1), Specifications & Labels Technician (1)

Travel: <10%

Overview of Company

John Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple® drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA. We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr., and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth, it now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

Job summary

The Specifications and Labels Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and ensuring accuracy of product specifications and labeling for all protein-based food products. This role ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and internal standards. This leader serves as the regulatory expert for labeling, ensuring that all product information, including ingredients, nutrition facts, and claims, is accurate and compliant with governing regulations from the FDA, USDA, and other relevant bodies. The manager will support cross-functional teams from concept through commercialization to deliver accurate and compliant product information.

Education
• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field.

Experience
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in food safety, quality, and regulatory affairs within a food manufacturing environment. Protein experience strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of USDA, FDA, and FSIS labeling regulations.
• Strong experience with regulatory database systems, such as Optiva or Genesis R&D.
• Proficiency in specification management software and ERP systems. M3 experience preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Deadline driven with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate complex regulatory information clearly.
• Previous management experience leading technical staff.

Preferred
• Experience with protein-based products (grilled poultry, breaded poultry, and grilled beef).
• Familiarity with customer portals for specification uploads.
• Experience utilizing M3 ERP system.
• Understanding of basic food safety principles including allergen management.
• Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) scheme experience.
• PCQI and/or HACCP certification.

Key responsibilities:

Specifications and Data Management
• Lead the specification development process and maintain detailed product specifications for all protein products, including raw materials, finished goods, and packaging.
• Ensure specifications align with regulatory requirements (USDA, FDA) and customer standards.
• Work with suppliers to gather and maintain critical documentation, including ingredient specifications, certifications (e.g., Kosher, Organic, non-GMO), and supplier qualification records.
• Manage specification databases and version control process, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all internal systems (e.g., ERP, PLM).
• Implement specification management software for all specification types.

Label Development and Compliance
• Oversee the entire label development process, including drafting label copy for ingredient statements, nutrition facts panels, allergen declarations, and marketing claims.
• Ensure all product labels comply with applicable federal, state, and international food labeling regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, FSIS, CFIA).
• Validate label accuracy against product formulation and specifications.
• Review and approve artwork and packaging graphics to ensure content accuracy and regulatory compliance before printing.
• Submit new and revised labels for regulatory approval where required (e.g., USDA/FSIS) and maintain a database of all label approvals.

Regulatory Leadership
• Serve as internal expert on food labeling regulations, monitoring and interpreting new and evolving regulatory trends that could impact the company's products.
• Lead cross-functional teams by providing guidance and risk-based labeling recommendations related to food additives, ingredients, and product claims.
• Serve as the primary contact for customer specification requests and respond to customer or consumer inquiries regarding ingredients, nutrition, and claims.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all specification and labeling-related activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Product Development on new product launches to ensure timely and accurate specifications and labels.
• Partner with Marketing to validate claims and promotional materials.
• Support Operations and FSQA with specification-related inquiries and troubleshooting.
• Identify opportunities to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and standardization of labeling and specification processes.
• Manage corrective actions for any identified deficiencies in labeling or specifications.

Work Environment

This job is carried out in a professional office setting and involves using standard office equipment like laptops, desk phones, and smartphones. Regular visits to production facilities may also be required. During those visits, the employee is occasionally exposed to cold and/or humid conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, cold temperatures, and electrical shock and vibration risks. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Physical Demands

Employees must be able to stand, walk, or sit; use their hands for tasks; reach with their arms; and communicate verbally. Occasional lifting or moving of objects is necessary, along with close, distance, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Additional requirements for this position include:
• Sitting for extended periods of time while working on a computer
• Reliable transportation required

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following:
• Vacation
• Sick days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• 401k with company match
• Telemedicine
• Onsite Clinic - Tyler and Valley
• Free annual health screening
• STD and LTD
• Life insurance & other voluntary benefits
• Career Development: We support professional growth through continuous learning and development opportunities.

Soules Foods is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Applicants with disabilities needing accommodation during the application process can contact Human Resources at the relevant location.

Soules Foods will not discriminate against applicants who discuss their compensation. We also participate in the E-Verify program where required by law.

Unsolicited Assistance: Soules Foods does not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for U.S. positions. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted without a valid written request and search agreement from HR will be considered the property of Soules Foods. No fees will be paid for candidates hired through unsolicited referrals.