Quality Director

Michael Page; Chicago (IL); Vor Ort; USD 140.000 - 170.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Performance-based bonus

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Zusammenfassung

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.

Qualifikationen

• 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.

Aufgaben

• 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.

Kenntnisse

Quality leadership

Regulatory compliance

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Travel readiness

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/related

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

HACCP knowledge

Jobbeschreibung

The Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of all quality systems and food safety programs across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role ensures consistent implementation of quality standards, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a culture of food safety excellence throughout the organization.

Client Details

Our client is a rapidly growing food manufacturing organization recognized for delivering high-quality products through innovation, operational excellence, and a strong commitment to food safety. The company serves customers across multiple channels and is committed to maintaining industry-leading quality standards while supporting continued growth and expansion.

Description

• Develop, implement, and maintain company-wide Quality Management Systems aligned with recognized industry standards and customer requirements.
• Establish, monitor, and report key quality performance metrics across multiple facilities.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents, customer complaints, and product non-conformances utilizing structured root cause analysis methodologies.
• Drive corrective and preventive action programs to support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide leadership for food safety programs, hazard analysis systems, and preventive control initiatives.
• Maintain and oversee facility-specific food safety plans and prerequisite programs including sanitation, allergen controls, environmental monitoring, supplier management, and pest prevention.
• Lead recall preparedness activities and crisis management processes, including mock recall exercises and corrective action follow-up.
• Serve as the primary liaison for regulatory agencies and external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety regulations, industry standards, and customer requirements.
• Lead certification audits and maintain required food safety certifications.
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and implement necessary program updates.
• Develop and manage supplier quality assurance programs.
• Establish supplier approval, qualification, monitoring, and auditing processes.
• Collaborate with sourcing and procurement teams to address vendor quality concerns and maintain supply chain compliance.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement initiatives where necessary.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner with Operations, Product Development, Supply Chain, and other functional leaders to support business objectives.
  • Ensure quality and food safety requirements are integrated into new product development and commercialization activities.
  • Participate in leadership discussions related to company strategy, operational performance, and risk management.
  • Present quality and food safety performance metrics to executive leadership as required.
• Team Development & Leadership
  • Recruit, develop, and mentor quality and food safety professionals across multiple locations.
  • Establish performance objectives and development plans for direct reports.
  • Deliver organization-wide food safety and quality training programs.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Biology, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive Quality Assurance and Food Safety leadership experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of experience leading quality and food safety teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing quality systems across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, quality management systems, HACCP principles, preventive controls, and GFSI-recognized standards.
• Experience working directly with regulatory agencies and third-party auditors.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to travel regularly between manufacturing facili
• Advanced degree in Food Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience within highly regulated protein, meat, poultry, prepared foods, or refrigerated food environments.
• Professional certifications such as:
  • PCQI
  • HACCP Certification
  • SQF Practitioner or Lead Auditor
  • ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM/OE)
  • ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
• Experience with quality management systems and food safety software platforms

Job Offer

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience. 140-170k Base Salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with company contribution.
• Paid time off and company-recognized holidays.
• Career development and advancement opportunities.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.