Head of Quality Assurance & Food Safety

Exemplar Global; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 121,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) profit sharing

Vacation

Holidays

Floating holidays

Company-paid LTD and life insurance

Sick leave

Job summary

Exemplar Global is seeking a Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety to own the quality program for Main Event, FoodStory Brands’ protein bar line. You will lead QA strategy, co-manufacturer qualification, labeling approvals, and recall readiness.

This hands-on director sets the QA roadmap, oversees labs and audits, and partners with R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Sales to accelerate growth while maintaining data-driven decisions and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Nutrition, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 10+ years of QA/food safety experience in food manufacturing.
• Co-manufactured CPG experience, preferably bars or low-moisture products.
• Experience leading QA programs and building a QMS.
• Experience representing quality with regulators and retailers (FDA inspections and audits).

Responsibilities

• Define multi-year quality and food safety strategy aligned to growth and co-manufacturing.
• Own quality budget and oversee labs, audits, certifications, and QA systems.
• Set KPIs and report performance to executives monthly.
• Lead recall readiness, traceability, and consumer complaint programs.
• Maintain final authority on product hold, release, and disposition.
• Represent quality to regulators, retailers, and licensing partner.
• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Sales to move the brand quickly.
• Lead on-site audits of co-manufacturers and manage supplier qualifications.

Skills

HACCP knowledge

FSMA preventive controls

FDA labeling regulations

Quality strategy

Regulatory liaison

QA program leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

MS Office

LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)

Job description

Exemplar Global is seeking a Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety to own the quality program for Main Event, FoodStory Brands’ protein bar line. You will lead QA strategy, co-manufacturer qualification, labeling approvals, and recall readiness.

This hands-on director sets the QA roadmap, oversees labs and audits, and partners with R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Sales to accelerate growth while maintaining data-driven decisions and regulatory compliance.