Vice President Of Food Quality & Safety

Lucas James Talent Partners; Momence (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food ingredient company is seeking a Vice President of Quality & Food Safety to oversee global quality strategy across its businesses. This role involves ensuring high standards of safety and quality, regulatory compliance, and leading a team. Ideal candidates should have over 10 years of experience in food manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a relevant bachelor's degree, preferably alongside an MBA. The position is hybrid and located in Momence, Illinois.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in food, agriculture, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• 10+ years in quality and food safety leadership.
• 7+ years leading teams in senior leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve quality strategy across food and nutraceutical businesses.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, and global regulatory standards.
• Manage supplier qualification and external manufacturing approval processes.

Skills

Leadership

Quality assurance

Food safety

Regulatory compliance

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Agriculture, Chemistry

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Our client, The Van Drunen Family of Companies, is seeking a Vice President of Quality & Food Safety to lead and evolve our global quality strategy across our food, ingredient, and nutraceutical businesses. Van Drunen Farms has a rich heritage dating back to the 1850s, rooted in agriculture and innovation. Today, the organization delivers ingredient solutions derived from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains, serving customers across the food and nutraceutical industries worldwide. This is a Hybrid opportunity at our Momence IL location.

This executive leader will oversee quality assurance, food safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across our organization—ensuring our products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and consistency while supporting business growth and operational excellence. If you are a strategic leader with deep experience in food or ingredient manufacturing, this is an opportunity to shape the future of quality and food safety for a global organization.

What You'll Do

Lead Quality & Food Safety Strategy

• Set the strategic direction for quality assurance and food safety across the Van Drunen Family of Companies
• Champion a culture of food safety and operational excellence
• Partner with cross-functional leadership to align quality initiatives with business goals

Ensure Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee compliance with FDA, USDA, EU, and global regulatory standards
• Manage GFSI audits and certifications including organic, kosher, and halal
• Standardize quality and food safety best practices across global facilities

Supplier & External Quality Oversight

• Lead supplier qualification and external manufacturing approval processes
• Manage FSVP programs and traceability systems
• Build strong partnerships with external labs, vendors, and quality partners

Customer & Crisis Management

• Lead customer and consumer complaint programs
• Serve on crisis management and special situation teams
• Develop KPIs and reporting to measure quality performance
• Use data analytics and statistical tools to drive improvements
• Manage departmental budgets and efficiency initiatives

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop the Quality Leadership Team
• Mentor emerging leaders and build bench strength within the organization

What We're Looking For

10+ years experience in food, agriculture, or pharmaceutical manufacturing

10+ years in quality and food safety leadership

7+ years leading teams (including senior leadership roles)

Experience with plant-level quality systems, micro-controls, and allergen management

Strong background in supplier quality and regulatory compliance

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Agriculture, Chemistry, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)

You are a leader who:

• Builds trust with customers and cross-functional partners
• Uses data and analytics to drive quality improvements
• Develops people and builds strong teams
• Makes sound decisions balancing speed, safety, and quality