Senior Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title :

Senior Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance Reports to Vice President of Operations

Job Summary :

The Senior Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance is a key leadership position responsible for ensuring that all products meet the highest quality standards, comply with regulatory requirements, and are produced in a safe, hygienic environment. The ideal candidate will possess in-depth knowledge of food safety regulations, and quality control practices, and a proven track record of successfully managing large teams to achieve operational excellence. Maintain and enhance our best-in-class processes, ensuring compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal food regulations. This role will lead and manage our food manufacturing plant's food safety, quality assurance, and sanitation programs. This position requires an experienced leader who can work independently with minimal direction and will report directly to the Vice President of Operations.

Office Environment : 60% of the work is conducted in an office setting, involving time spent on computer research, project management, and communication with team members and stakeholders. Frequent participation in both in-person and virtual meetings, including project updates, strategy sessions, and presentations to management and stakeholders.

Production Environment : 35% Regular visits to the production areas will involve exposure to machinery, noise, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions.

Travel : >

5% Occasional travel for audits, training, conferences, etc.

Schedule : Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed based on operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Leadership, Team Management and Development :

a. Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of quality assurance and food safety professionals, cultivating a high-energy and hands-on culture that encourages team collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement.

b. Serve as the subject matter expert for food safety and quality assurance, offering expert guidance and support to internal teams, including production, R&D, operations, and all other departments.

c. Foster cross-departmental collaboration to ensure that food safety and quality are prioritized throughout the entire manufacturing process.

d. Oversee and provide guidance on supplier and customer activities related to quality, food safety, and product safety to ensure compliance with company standards and regulations.

e. Regularly assess the effectiveness of training programs and adjust as necessary to address emerging food safety and quality challenges.

f. Provide FSQA updates to Operations, Executive Leadership, and other departments on FSQA key initiatives, challenges, failures, and improvements.

2. Food Safety Program Management :

a. Develop, lead, and manage FSQA programs, including the HACCP Program, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, Pest Control, Good Manufacturing Practices, Customer Complaints, Food Defense, and Security. Ensure strict compliance with all relevant food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, FSMA).

b. Oversee the safety, legality, regulatory compliance, and quality systems for all products (raw and cooked) across the company, ensuring the highest level of product integrity.

c. Lead and coordinate food safety audits, inspections, and assessments, both internal and external, to ensure ongoing compliance and readiness for regulatory inspections.

d. Monitor plant operations to ensure adherence to food safety standards, proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks to maintain a safe and compliant production environment.

3. Quality Assurance and Control :

a. Oversee the development and execution of product quality standards, specifications, and testing procedures to ensure consistent product quality. Ensuring compliance with labeling and packaging regulations, including allergen declarations and nutritional information.

b. Manage the development and maintenance of quality control documentation, including product specifications, test results, and quality audit reports.

c. Investigate customer complaints, returns, or quality deviations and take appropriate corrective actions to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.

4. Reporting and Documentation

a. Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership on food safety, quality metrics, audit results, and compliance status.

b. Achieves financial objectives by preparing quality assurance budget, and expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective actions.

c. Maintain detailed records of food safety activities, quality audits, corrective actions, and certifications in compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications :

a. Bachelor's degree in food science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of industry and job-specific knowledge, skills, and practices.

b. Master's degree and PHD preferred.

c. 8 years of experience in food safety and quality assurance within the food manufacturing industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

d. Experience with Raw, ready-to-eat meat and / or poultry is required.

e. In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, FSMA, GMP, HACCP) and other industry-specific standards.

f. Strong experience in managing diverse teams, fostering a positive culture, and collaborating effectively across multiple departments.

g. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify problems, analyze data, and implement effective solutions, and the ability to handle multiple projects to ensure timely completion.

h. Quality certification preferred (e.g., GFSI, PCQI, BRC, SQF, etc.)

i. Ability to work in a fast-paced and changing environment while interacting with staff at all levels.

j. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Redzone, Deacom, and quality management software.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements :

a. Regular visits to production areas will involve exposure to machinery, high noise levels, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions.

b. Must be comfortable sharing office space with other professionals and performing repetitive, computer-based tasks. This includes extended periods of sitting, reaching with hands and arms, and using input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and other tools. The role requires maintaining focus on detailed screen work for prolonged durations, including tasks such as data analysis, report preparation, and troubleshooting operational issues.

c. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, and bend for extended periods.

d. Ability to work around ingredients and / or finished products containing food allergens.

e. Must be able to communicate through various channels, including phone, email, face-to-face, and videoconferencing, effectively building and presenting organized data and plans to executive leadership, internal and external groups of various sizes, and key stakeholders.

The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job. Other duties or tasks may be assigned as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The company is an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.