Director, Quality Assurance

Dairy Farmers of America; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Quality Assurance to oversee food safety and quality assurance activities across multiple locations. This pivotal role demands leadership and collaboration with various stakeholders to foster a culture of excellence and compliance. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in the food and beverage sector, particularly in dairy, and will be responsible for ensuring that all quality systems are robust and effective. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and commitment to quality, and make a significant impact on the organization’s success.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in FSQ within the food and beverage industry.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing technologies and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance and food safety activities across multiple plants.
• Manage food safety systems to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Food Safety Management

Quality Assurance

Data Analytics

Regulatory Compliance

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in Food Science

Master of Science in Food Science or Microbiology

Job description

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Provide leadership and oversight of quality assurance and food safety activities for multiple plant locations. Demonstrate thought leadership, executive maturity, business acumen, collaboration and a drive to execute with excellence. Measure progress and opportunities through metric management and compliance verification. Leverage expertise to manage risk, establish the proper mitigation controls and grow the business organically by building confidence and strong partnerships with customer base. Function as an integrated business partner to Retort Solutions.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Stakeholder Management
2. Champion a culture of excellence with emphasis on food safety and integrity. Drive engagement through servant leadership.
3. Create high performing teams that are customer centric and focused on preventive risk mitigation and predictive analytics. Develop and grow teams in a sustainable manner.
4. Function as a key contributor as part of the FSQ leadership team. Help shape the strategies, programs and overall FSQ road map.
5. Collaborate and work in tandem with R&D, sales, operations, BU leadership and other stakeholders.
6. Serve as the FSQ contact for Retort Solutions’ customers. Provide support for issue resolution, technical inquiries and metric management. Ensure compliance to customer agreements and monitor trends in data that may lead to rejection or non-compliance. Put preventive programs in place as needed.
7. Create a strong partnership with manufacturing leadership and drive alignment regarding current state and future planning/action regarding FSQ programs, capital needs and process optimization.
8. Leverage data analytics to improve efficiencies, optimize cost of quality and minimize the cost of nonconformance.
9. Provide timely communication, KPI reports and summaries regarding projects, mitigation activities, findings and compliance to programs/policies (short, mid and long-range goals).
10. Food Safety and Quality Management
11. Manage food safety systems and quality assurance programs for the manufacturing sites to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
12. Ensure food safety and quality plans are current, relevant, and followed. Verify all PC’s/CCP’s are appropriate, and records are complete and accurate.
13. Lead serious issue management related to manufacturing sites.
14. Apply knowledge of QC requirements; ensure application of GLP to laboratory operations, testing methodologies, analyst proficiency, and accuracy of results. Verify QC programs support production management.
15. Monitor environmental monitoring programs and verify corrective actions and sanitation programs are effective. Lead mitigation activities.
16. Drive continuous improvement by reviewing trends and data analytics. Ensure root cause analysis and CAPAs are robust and timely. Coordinate with plant and operations on capital needs and completion of requests.
17. Support planning, due diligence, construction, and expansion of plants.
18. Provide direction and support to Sanitation efforts. Ensure training and education of chemical use, software, SSOP practices, and sanitation verification.
19. Participate in Food Safety Risk Assessment and infrastructure evaluation. Ensure timely action plans.
20. Technical Services
21. Support R&D, operations, and business evaluations. Provide risk-based assessments and customer solutions. Support product commercialization.
22. Regulatory
23. Demonstrate knowledge of US and international regulations, including LACF (21CFR113).
24. Interpret, educate, and monitor compliance with regulations.

The above responsibilities are illustrative; other duties may be assigned as needed.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Master of Science in Food Science or Microbiology preferred.
• 10+ years’ experience in FSQ within the food and beverage industry, preferably dairy.
• Experience with thermally processed beverages including retort, aseptic, and ESL.
• Experience in a senior FSQ role with multi-plant operations supporting domestic and international markets.
• 5+ years in managerial roles.
• Knowledge of manufacturing technologies, food safety, quality systems, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, product commercialization, and customer engagement.
• Certifications such as PCQI, Better Process Control, Food Defense Qualified Individual, CMQ/OE preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep knowledge of manufacturing, regulatory compliance, product development, food safety, quality control, and risk mitigation.
• Ability to manage quality processes across multiple locations ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Strong communication skills at all organizational levels.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and follow-up skills.
• Leadership and coaching capabilities.
• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking).

Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans