Director of Quality (Food Safety)

Role Overview for Director of Quality (Food Safety)

JRG Partners is seeking an exceptional and visionary Director of Quality (Food Safety) to lead the comprehensive quality assurance and food safety programs for a prominent and rapidly growing organization within the food and beverage industry. This pivotal leadership role demands a strategic thinker with deep expertise in food science, regulatory compliance, and a proven track record of implementing world-class quality management systems.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping the company's commitment to delivering safe, high-quality products to consumers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across all facets of the business. This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to drive significant impact, protect brand reputation, and ensure sustainable growth in a dynamic and highly regulated environment.

As the Director of Quality (Food Safety), you will be at the forefront of developing, implementing, and maintaining robust food safety and quality systems that meet and exceed industry standards and regulatory requirements. You will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise to cross-functional teams, overseeing everything from raw material sourcing to final product distribution.

Your leadership will ensure adherence to certifications like GFSI (e.g., SQF, BRC), HACCP, and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), safeguarding the integrity of our products and processes. This position reports directly to a senior executive and will play a critical role in the executive leadership team, influencing strategic decisions and long-term planning related to product quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities of Director of Quality (Food Safety)

• Strategic Leadership & Program Development: Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive food safety and quality management systems (FSQMS) across all operational sites. Establish strategic objectives for quality and food safety that align with business goals and drive operational excellence.
• Regulatory Compliance & Audits: Ensure full compliance with all relevant local, state, federal, and international food safety regulations, including FDA (e.g., FSMA), USDA, and other applicable standards. Lead and manage all internal, third-party (GFSI scheme audits like SQF, BRC), and regulatory audits, ensuring successful outcomes and timely resolution of findings.
• HACCP & Preventative Controls Management: Oversee the development, implementation, and verification of HACCP plans, PCQI-driven Preventative Controls for Human Food, and other prerequisite programs. Ensure all team members involved are adequately trained and certified.
• Supplier Quality Management: Establish and manage a robust supplier approval and monitoring program to ensure all raw materials, ingredients, and packaging meet stringent quality and food safety specifications. Conduct supplier audits and performance reviews.
• Product Release & Specification Management: Develop and maintain product specifications, ensuring all finished products meet defined quality, safety, and sensory attributes before release to market. Manage documentation and record-keeping systems for product traceability.
• Quality Control & Assurance Operations: Direct the activities of quality assurance and quality control teams, including laboratory operations, in-process checks, finished product testing, and environmental monitoring programs. Implement statistical process control where applicable.
• Complaint & Incident Management: Lead the investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes for all food safety incidents, quality deviations, and customer complaints. Implement measures to prevent recurrence effectively.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of quality and food safety professionals. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and proactive problem-solving. Provide ongoing coaching and performance management.
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Drive continuous improvement projects focused on enhancing food safety, product quality, process efficiency, and cost reduction. Utilize data analytics and trending to identify areas for improvement and measure effectiveness of interventions.
• Crisis Management & Recall Preparedness: Develop and maintain robust recall and crisis management plans. Lead mock recalls and crisis simulations to ensure preparedness and rapid response capabilities in the event of a food safety emergency.
• New Product Development Support: Collaborate closely with R&D, Operations, and Marketing teams to ensure food safety and quality considerations are integrated into new product development processes from conception through commercialization.
• Budget Management: Manage the department budget effectively, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to achieve quality and food safety objectives. Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising standards.
• Training & Education: Develop and deliver comprehensive food safety and quality training programs for all employees, from plant floor personnel to senior management, ensuring a consistent understanding of critical protocols and best practices.
• Environmental Monitoring Programs: Design, implement, and oversee environmental monitoring programs (EMP) to identify and control potential microbial hazards within production facilities. Analyze EMP data for trends and corrective actions.
• Technology & Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging food safety technologies, regulations, and best practices. Evaluate and recommend new technologies or methodologies to enhance the company's food safety and quality capabilities.

Requirements for the Director of Quality (Food Safety)

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline is required. A Master's degree is highly preferred.
• Extensive Industry Experience: Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in quality assurance and food safety roles within the food manufacturing industry, with at least 5-7 years in a leadership or managerial capacity. Experience across diverse food categories (e.g., dairy, bakery, meat, produce, beverages) is a significant plus.
• Deep Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of U.S. food safety regulations, including the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), HACCP, GMPs, and other relevant federal and state guidelines. Familiarity with international regulations is a benefit.
• Certifications:
• HACCP certification is mandatory.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification is mandatory.
• GFSI scheme auditor certification (e.g., SQF Practitioner, BRC Lead Auditor) is highly preferred.
• ASQ certifications (e.g., Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence) are a plus.
• Leadership & Management Skills: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop large teams of QA/Food Safety professionals. Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all levels of an organization.
• Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of microbiological testing, analytical chemistry, sensory evaluation, sanitation principles, pest control, and allergen management. Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and other quality improvement methodologies.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Abilities: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making and root cause analysis. Ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, from plant floor employees to executive leadership and regulatory bodies.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Travel: Ability to travel up to 25-40% to various plant locations, supplier sites, and for professional development conferences as required.

Benefits & Perks Offered

JRG Partners is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent. As a Director of Quality (Food Safety), you will be offered a highly competitive compensation package commensurate with your experience and the critical nature of this role. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, well-being, and financial future, including:

• Exceptional Compensation: A highly competitive base salary, performance-based bonuses, and potential for long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your family, with options for HSA/FSA accounts.
• Retirement Savings: A robust 401(k) plan with generous company matching, helping you build a secure financial future.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, certifications, industry conferences, and executive leadership training to support your career growth.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and professional challenges.
• Relocation Assistance: If applicable, a comprehensive relocation package may be offered to assist with your move.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Join a collaborative, innovative, and supportive culture where your expertise is valued, and your contributions make a real difference.

How to Apply

Are you a proven leader in food safety and quality, ready to make a significant impact with a forward-thinking organization? If you meet the qualifications and are eager to take on this challenging and rewarding Director of Quality (Food Safety) role, we encourage you to apply today!

Please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your relevant experience, leadership philosophy, and why you are the ideal candidate for this position. In your cover letter, highlight specific achievements in implementing and improving food safety and quality systems.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

To learn more about how JRG Partners excels in executive search for the food and beverage industry, visit our dedicated practice area page: JRG Partners Food & Beverage Executive Search.

JRG Partners and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.