Global Director Quality, SARA & Food Compliance

Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs Douwe Egberts UK is seeking a Global Director Quality, SARA & Food Compliance to ensure the quality and safety of products across all markets. This senior leadership role involves defining quality standards aligned with international frameworks and managing compliance globally.

The ideal candidate will lead a team of 50, work across functions, and handle regulatory strategies while ensuring the company meets its quality and safety commitments.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in quality and food safety within the FMCG industry.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and international frameworks (HACCP, GFSI).
• Strong scientific background for oversight on formulation and ingredient safety.

Responsibilities

• Define and deploy the global quality and food safety vision.
• Lead global regulatory strategy across all markets.
• Manage issue and crisis management for product recalls.

Skills

Leadership in quality and food safety

Knowledge of food safety regulations

Crisis management

Stakeholder influencing

Education

Master's degree in Food Chemistry, Food Technology, or related field

Job description

Job Description

As Global Director Quality, SARA & Food Compliance, you will be the senior leader safeguarding the quality and safety of JDE Peet's products across every market, channel, and supply chain partner worldwide. You'll define and drive the global QFS&SARA strategy, setting the standards that protect consumers, brands, and the e/company's licence to operate. This is a role that sits at the intersection of science, regulation, and commercial strategy - requiring you to lead through complexity, influence at the highest levels, and act as the company's central authority on food safety and regulatory risk. You'll lead a team of 50 and work cross-functionally with Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Legal, and Commercial leadership globally. When it matters most, you'll be the one leading - acting as Central Deputy Crisis Coordinator for product-related issue and crisis management.

What you'll be doing:

• Define and deploy the global quality and food safety vision, strategy, and roadmap — establishing company-wide standards aligned with international frameworks (HACCP, GFSI)
• Lead global regulatory strategy across ingredients, packaging, labelling, and product claims, monitoring regulatory developments and managing compliance across all markets
• Provide scientific oversight for product formulation, ingredient safety, nutritional considerations, and the substantiation of product claims
• Lead Issue & Crisis management — including product recalls, risk assessments, and traceability systems — to protect consumers and brand reputation
• Define supplier quality standards and oversee raw material, packaging, warehouse, and co‑manufacturer quality across global sourcing
• Drive digital transformation and continuous improvement through data analytics, KPIs, and a forward‑looking quality technology roadmap

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in quality and food safety within the FMCG industry
• In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations, quality management systems, and international frameworks (HACCP, GFSI)
• Strong scientific background - able to provide oversight on formulation, ingredient safety, and regulatory dossiers
• Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity and crisis, with experience managing recalls or major food safety incidents
• Excellent stakeholder influence skills - comfortable engaging with regulatory authorities, industry bodies, and executive leadership
• Master's degree in Food Chemistry, Food Technology, Food Science, Engineering, or related field