Multi-Site Quality & Food Safety Director

Michael Page; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Job summary

MPI seeks a Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of QA systems and food safety programs across multiple facilities in the United States. The role ensures regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and a culture of food safety excellence.

Responsibilities include implementing QMS, leading investigations, managing recalls, and coordinating with regulators and auditors to sustain industry-leading standards across sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive QA and Food Safety leadership in food manufacturing.
• 5+ years of leading QA/FS teams.
• Experience with quality systems across multiple sites.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP, preventive controls, and GFSI standards.
• Experience with regulatory agencies and third-party auditors.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly between facilities.
• Advanced degree in Food Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience with protein/meat/refrigerated foods environments.
• Professional certifications (PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner/Lead Auditor, CQM/OE, CQA).
• Experience with QA software platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide Quality Management Systems aligned with industry standards and customer requirements.
• Establish, monitor, and report key quality metrics across facilities.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents and customer complaints using root cause analysis.
• Drive corrective and preventive action programs for continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership for food safety programs, hazard analyses, and preventive controls.
• Oversee facility food safety plans, sanitation, allergen controls, environmental monitoring, supplier management, and pest prevention.
• Lead recall preparedness and crisis management activities, including mock recalls.
• Interface with regulatory agencies and external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and customer requirements.
• Lead certification audits and maintain food safety certifications.
• Monitor regulatory developments and update programs as needed.
• Develop supplier QA programs and supplier approval, qualification, auditing processes.
• Collaborate with sourcing to address vendor quality and supply chain compliance.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvements.
• Cross-functional leadership with Operations, Product Development, and Supply Chain.
• Ensure QA/FS requirements are integrated into new product development.

Skills

Quality leadership

Regulatory compliance

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/related

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

HACCP knowledge

Job description

MPI seeks a Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of QA systems and food safety programs across multiple facilities in the United States. The role ensures regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and a culture of food safety excellence.

Responsibilities include implementing QMS, leading investigations, managing recalls, and coordinating with regulators and auditors to sustain industry-leading standards across sites.