Global Food Safety & Quality Director

OSI Group; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

OSI Group seeks a senior Food Safety and Quality Assurance expert to lead and advance our FSQA strategy across plants and key customers. You will guide product safety, microbiology, and regulatory compliance while directing a team of specialists and coordinating with product development and process teams throughout the lifecycle.

You will develop and implement robust food safety plans, validation methods, and governance, partnering with global heads to set priorities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in related field preferred.
• Operational food safety and processing experience required.
• Prior HACCP and PCQI certification required.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and HACCP principles across product categories.
• Thorough knowledge of USDA, FDA, CFIA, EFSA, CODEX.
• Understanding of GMP, Pathogen Environmental Monitoring, and facility design.
• Experience with microbiology lab techniques and rapid tests.
• Familiarity with ISO and Six Sigma quality systems.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Job manages a team, has authority to hire and performance-manage the team.
• Leads 1-5 employees in daily operations.
• Identify food safety risks and define risk-reduction strategies.
• Provide technical expertise on microbiology, toxicology, and food safety principles to internal and key customers.
• Prevent non-conformances in processing and quality systems.
• Implement best-in-class food safety policies using public health principles.
• Collaborate to establish audits and programs that meet customer and regulatory standards.
• Define validation requirements for lethal steps and ensure critical limits are met.
• Manage lab spend and testing requirements across North America plants.
• Strengthen FSQA linkage through training and development in risk assessment.
• Lead gap analyses of regulatory updates and drive policy alignment.
• Engage with trade groups and committees as needed.
• Support crisis management with technical resources.
• Convert data/research into actionable messages for leadership.

Skills

FSQA leadership

HACCP/PCQI

Regulatory knowledge

Lab techniques

Project management

Communication skills

Digital FSQA

Team leadership

Food safety

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

OSI Group seeks a senior Food Safety and Quality Assurance expert to lead and advance our FSQA strategy across plants and key customers. You will guide product safety, microbiology, and regulatory compliance while directing a team of specialists and coordinating with product development and process teams throughout the lifecycle.

You will develop and implement robust food safety plans, validation methods, and governance, partnering with global heads to set priorities.