Director of Quality & Food Safety
Full-time
Salary: Competitive based on experience
Our client, an established and rapidly growing food manufacturer specializing in shelf-stable snack foods, is seeking an experienced Director of Quality & Food Safety to direct their plant-wide quality, laboratory, and regulatory compliance operations.
This high-impact leadership role reports to executive leadership and oversees the QA supervisory and product development technical teams. You will drive food safety culture, lead GFSI/BRCGS audit readiness, manage analytical lab operations, and ensure full compliance with FDA and international labeling standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Food Safety & Audit Management: Direct the facility’s GFSI/BRCGS food safety management system, FSMA compliance, and HACCP plans. Serve as the lead contact for customer, third-party, and regulatory audits, managing corrective action closures.
- Laboratory & Analytical Testing: Oversee QA laboratory operations, equipment calibration, sampling, and testing protocols (microbiological, moisture, fats/oils quality metrics, allergen verification, and functional product performance).
- Team Leadership & Culture: Manage, mentor, and evaluate the QA Supervisor and technical support personnel; foster a proactive, plant-wide food safety and continuous improvement culture on the production floor.
- Supplier & Raw Material Quality: Oversee ingredient, packaging, and co-manufacturer approval programs; manage vendor qualification, COA verifications, and non-conformance resolutions.
- Regulatory & Labeling Compliance: Ensure compliance with FDA, Canadian, and international food labeling standards. Validate ingredient declarations, allergen matrices, nutritional panels, and specialty certifications (Kosher, Halal, Gluten-Free).
- Incident Response & Investigation: Lead root-cause investigations for quality deviations, customer complaints, and non-conforming products; oversee hold/release dispositions and corrective actions.
- Systems & Data Integrity: Maintain ERP traceability, production formulas/BOMs, quality specifications, and retailer documentation portals.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Experience: 5+ years of progressive food manufacturing quality assurance and food safety experience, including demonstrated supervisory or management background.
- Certifications: PCQI and HACCP certifications required; strong working knowledge of GFSI standards (BRCGS preferred).
- Technical Background: Hands-on experience directing quality laboratories, environmental monitoring programs (EMP), allergen controls, and audit readiness.
- Preferred Experience: Background in shelf-stable snacks, fats/oils, extruded/popped goods, or microwave packaging. Familiarity with ERP systems, SPC, Power BI, and international export labeling is a strong plus.
Compensation
- Competitive based on experience
- Excellent benefit package
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Aventure Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A drug screen and background may be required.