Food Safety & Quality Assurance Director

A growing, mid-sized food manufacturing company is seeking a hands on Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance to lead food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance across a diverse product portfolio.

This role reports to the CEO and plays a critical leadership role in daily operations, customer readiness, and long-term quality culture.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead, develop, and maintain all Food Safety Programs including HACCP, HARPC, Preventive Controls, Allergen Management, Environmental Monitoring, and Foreign Material Prevention.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and customer-specific standards.
• Serve as the facility’s Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• Oversee the development, validation, and verification of cleaning and sanitation systems, including pathogen and allergen controls.
• Responsible for regulatory inspections and third-party audits.
• Ensure product labels meet federal and international standards, including claims review.

Quality Assurance & Quality Systems

• Own and enhance the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) ensuring consistent documentation, traceability, and process control for total product portfolio.
• Lead team for all third-party, customer audits, and co-manufacturing audits.
• Oversee raw material, in-process, and finished product testing, including microbiological, chemical, sensory, color stability, and potency testing.
• Direct management of complaint investigations, CAPAs, root cause analyses, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Assess and approve new suppliers and co-manufacturers, partnering with procurement and R&D.

Operational & Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing FSQA team including quality managers, supervisors, and lab personnel.
• Champion a proactive food safety culture through coaching, training, and cross-functional partnership.

• Collaborate with production teams to ensure process capability, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Implement KPI tracking for quality performance, customer complaints, audit readiness, and cost-of-quality.
• Guide specification development and provide technical expertise on pathogen reduction, irradiation/ETO alternatives, steam treatment, color stability, extract standardization, and natural ingredient variability.
• Support R&D in product commercialization, shelf-life studies, and regulatory reviews.

Ideal Profile:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related disciplines with 10+ years quality management in food processing
• Strong computer, communication, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, training, and interaction skills
• Must be able to distinguish between all colors including red/green and perform organoleptic analysis.
• Knowledge of inputs, outputs, raw materials, waste, quality control, costs, and techniques for maximizing the manufacture and distribution of goods
• HACCP, HARPC, SQF, and PCQI certification (required within 3 months of starting position)
• Expert knowledge of HACCP, GMP’s, SQF, food plant sanitation, food regulation and labeling laws and audit processes

This is a high impact opportunity for a food safety and quality leader who thrives in dynamic environments and wants to shape the next phase of growth.