Farmer's Fridge makes fruits and vegetables accessible and approachable for everyone. We offer a variety of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks through our fresh food vending machines, wholesale partners, and our office pantry solution - providing chef-curated meals to customers within seconds. Today, we operate a network of Fridges and partner with clients nationwide in high-foot-traffic areas, such as airports, hospitals, universities, and large office buildings - where there is limited accessibility to fresh, healthy, grab-n-go options.
We care deeply about what we're creating and aspire to make sure our customers feel that through every touchpoint. This shows up in many ways across the business. We are committed to prioritizing food safety, we are passionate about product quality, we value our employees, we champion the best idea no matter where it comes from, and we're committed to making an overall positive impact as we scale.
About this Role:
The Director of Food Safety & Quality at Farmers Fridge is responsible for overseeing and managing all food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs across the organization. This position serves as the company's lead expert, ensuring adherence to all food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and quality expectations throughout the supply chain.
The Director of Food Safety & Quality is a strategic and operational leader, integral to Farmers Fridge's commitment to food safety, exceptional product quality, and regulatory excellence.
What You'll Do:
Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
* Develop, enhance, and maintain comprehensive food safety policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory entities.
* Act as primary liaison with regulatory agencies (USDA, FDA, state/local health departments) and external auditors, managing audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions.
* Ensure compliance with labeling, nutritional, allergen, and other regulatory requirements across product lines and markets.
* Provide immediate oversight and management of responses to regulatory or product safety concerns.
Quality Assurance Management
* Lead plant and corporate Quality Assurance teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compliance with established quality standards.
* Oversee ingredient and finished product specification approval processes, ensuring compliance with analytical, microbiological, nutritional, and labeling standards.
* Develop and maintain inbound inspection procedures for commodity groups, including fresh produce, grocery items, dairy, and packaging that align with specifications.
* Manage product shelf-life validation, including ongoing evaluations and updates based on scientific and operational data.
* Implement robust corrective action processes for customer and internal quality complaints through a data-driven approach, ensuring timely response and resolution.
Corporate Quality Functions
* Support product development and commercialization activities by providing quality and regulatory approvals to cross-functional teams to ensure our products meet quality and regulatory standards.
* Oversee supplier onboarding, compliance, and ongoing performance monitoring, ensuring adherence to company standards for ingredient quality and safety.
* Ensure cold chain compliance and food safety across distribution, warehousing, and fridge operations to guarantee product integrity throughout the supply chain.
Team Leadership & Development
* Lead, mentor, and develop a dedicated team, encompassing both plant-based and corporate quality and food safety personnel. Work with the associate QFS manager to build team schedules that achieve Quality and Food Safety objectives while hitting targeted budget.
* Set clear objectives, performance expectations, and development pathways for team members, emphasizing accountability, proactive compliance, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Experience
* Extensive experience in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, with strong expertise in USDA-regulated environments.
* Proven leadership experience managing teams in food manufacturing, specifically in perishables, produce, or fresh-food environments.
* Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience with SQF certification, HACCP plan development and maintenance, labeling requirements and FDA compliance.
* Excellent interpersonal, communication, and regulatory relationship management skills.
* Lean/ Six sigma or comparable quality systems experience preferred.
The base salary range for this role is $145,000 to $175,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements.
In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for company performance-based bonuses and equity.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:
* Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)
* 401(k) with immediate employer match vesting
* Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
* Paid sabbatical after 5 years of service
* Employee discounts
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:
In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we've done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback.
Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.
Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after five years of service.
Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company's bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.
Farmer's Fridge Diversity Statement:
"Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer's Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles."
Farmer's Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures