Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Job Summary:

The Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance across the organization. This role ensures that all products meet internal standards, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements, while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and food safety excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive food safety and quality management systems (e.g., HACCP, GFSI, SQF, BRC).
• Lead company-wide compliance with food safety regulations and standards from agencies such as FDA, USDA, CFIA, or local authorities.
• Oversee internal and third-party audits, corrective action processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including operations, R&D, procurement, and supply chain to ensure quality at every stage of production.
• Develop and manage quality control testing programs, including microbiological, physical, and chemical testing.
• Monitor and analyze quality data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure proper training and development of QA and food safety personnel across all facilities.
• Serve as the primary contact for regulatory bodies and customers regarding food safety and quality matters.
• Investigate and respond to quality complaints, non-conformances, and product recalls or withdrawals.
• Establish and maintain documentation and record-keeping practices in compliance with regulatory and certification requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, industry certifications (e.g., SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000), and quality assurance methodologies.
• Proven experience managing audits, regulatory inspections, and quality systems.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-compliance environment.
• HACCP Certification (required)
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual)
• SQF Practitioner, BRC Professional, or equivalent certification
• Six Sigma, Lean, or other quality improvement credentials (preferred)