Director of Food Safety and Quality
Overview
Provide strategic leadership, guidance, and risk management for corporate food safety and quality programs and systems. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and customer expectations while driving continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement comprehensive food safety and quality programs, including HACCP, Preventative Controls, SQF, or other relevant standards.
- Oversee the development, revision, and management of all quality programs, supporting documentation, and audit processes.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in food safety, microbiology, regulations, and quality systems.
- Lead, develop, and coach the food safety and quality assurance (FSQA) team.
- Develop and maintain training programs for the team and organization.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (sales, marketing, R&D, operations) to maintain a strong food safety culture.
- Provide oversight and support for import/export, production, environmental programs, sanitation, and compliance.
- Manage departmental budgets and ensure compliance with corporate financial policies.
- Drive production team involvement in regulatory compliance and food safety responsibilities.
- Manage food quality concerns and issues.
- Communicate effectively with senior management on product safety, quality programs, and performance.
- Ensure adherence to sanitation procedures and food safety standards.
- Foster collaboration and problem-solving across departments.
Qualifications
- Graduate degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Biological Sciences, or related field preferred.
- HACCP Certified and completed FDA Preventative Controls Training.
- Completed formal SQF training (other BRC program training may be considered).
- Minimum 5 years of experience in food manufacturing, with a focus on HACCP and SQF program management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of HACCP, Preventative Controls, GMP, SSOP, SQF, and other relevant quality and food safety standards.
- In-depth understanding of USDA-FSIS regulations for meat and poultry processing.
- Proven leadership and management skills.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in statistical process control.
- Ability to effectively present information to various audiences.