We are seeking an experienced Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) to build, implement, and lead our food safety and quality management systems from the ground up. In this foundational role, you will design all standard operating procedures, establish quality metrics, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of food safety across manufacturing, sourcing, and distribution.
Key Responsibilities
Program Creation & Implementation
- Design, launch, and manage a complete FSQA framework from scratch, including HACCP, HARPC, SSOPs, and GMP protocols.
- Establish document control systems, traceability protocols, and environmental monitoring programs (EMP).
- Define micro testing, allergen control, and foreign material control strategies.
Regulatory Compliance & Audits
- Ensure strict adherence to FDA, USDA, local health regulations, and FSMA guidelines.
- Lead the facility through initial Third-Party GFSI certifications (e.g., SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000).
- Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory inspectors, auditors, and customer quality reviews.
Operations & Supplier Quality Management
- Develop incoming raw material inspection standards and vendor qualification programs.
- Partner with Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain to ensure food safety and quality considerations are integrated into production and product development.
- Establish root-cause analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) procedures for non-conformances, consumer complaints, or deviations.
Leadership & Culture
- Conduct company-wide food safety training programs for production personnel and management.
- Establish quality KPI dashboards to track performance, trend deviations, and report directly to executive leadership.
- Recruit, train, and mentor the FSQA team as operations scale.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Experience: 5–10 years of progressive FSQA experience within food and beverage manufacturing, with demonstrated experience in a leadership role.
- Track Record: Proven experience building or significantly overhauling a food safety program from scratch.
- Certifications: PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP certifications preferred. GFSI Lead Auditor certification preferred.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of FSMA regulations, FDA/USDA compliance, sanitary equipment design, and environmental monitoring.
- Skills: Strong leadership, project management, and cross-functional communication abilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.