Analysis Skills, Coaching, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Crisis Management, Data Analysis, Distribution Services, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), Food Microbiology, Food Production, Food Quality, Food Safety, Food Science, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Industry Standards, Interpersonal Skills, Interpret Regulations, Leadership, Legal, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing Management, Mentoring, Microbiology, Performance Metrics, Pest Control, Process Improvement, Product Design, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Research & Development (R&D), Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Safety Compliance, Safety Process, Safety Standards, Safety/Work Safety, Sanitation, Team Lead/Manager, Trend Analysis, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Head of Food Safety & Compliance
The role of the Head of Food Safety & Compliance is a crucial position within Kraft Heinz organization, to ensure the safety and quality of our products.
This position safeguards the reputation of our company and ensures the health and safety of consumers by maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality.
The role is responsible for assessment, control and elimination of any hazards in our processes which can include ingredients, components, and products; but also tools, systems, and innovations that help identify, monitor, control, and mitigate food safety risks. The position plays a crucial role in ensuring that Kraft Heinz organization adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards while maintaining a high level of quality in its products, services, and operations.
The Head of Food Safety & Compliance will be responsible for creating and implementing the company's zone food safety program, identify risks and establish appropriate programs and technology for mitigation and control that align with corporate guidance and minimum requirements. The role is responsible for establishing minimum FSQ standards and requirements based on applicable laws, regulations and standards for the zone.
This position will work closely with Operations, regulatory and R&D functions to ensure safety of our products from design through manufacturing and distribution.
The role closely cooperates with external bodies like regulatory agencies, NGO`s, industry bodies, consumer and customer associations representing Kraft Heinz.
The role is also responsible for collaborating with various Quality leaders and organizations in the zone to develop clear global food safety goals, and strategies that provide the proper blend of autonomy and oversight.
Primary Responsibilities
- Leads the Special Situations management Process and handling the FSQ portion of crisis management.
- Regulatory and USDA/FDA programs and compliance; handling and improving all aspects of our international regulatory and internal USDA/FDA compliance programs in partnership with legal.
- Sanitation, develop and define the best-in-class hygiene standards and processes/KPIs to ensure we are delivering on our best-in-class sanitation processes.
- Develop and manage workstreams to support factory in sanitation excellence, including Validations of Cleaning, Swabbing, Design and Pest Control.
- Building and managing a food safety and compliance team: This position involves recruiting, training, and managing a team of food safety professionals to support the organization's initiatives.
- Collaborating with other departments: The Head of Food safety & compliance works closely with other departments, including Operations and R&D, to ensure food safety standards are met throughout the organization.
- Continuously improving food safety processes: This position involves identifying opportunities for improvement in food safety processes and implementing changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Developing and implementing quality compliance strategies as well as ensuring regulatory compliance
- Managing 3rd party audits & inspections
- Primary contact with FDA, USDA and CFIA
- Responsible for HACCP / PCP plans
- Represent KHC externally in all food safety forums
Qualifications
- This role requires a BS, MS preferred, in a Food Microbiology, Food Safety or related field with exposure to food science/engineering or microbiology with a minimum of 10+ years of experience
- Strong knowledge and/or certification of food safety regulations and standards, including HACCP, FSMA, GFSI, PCQI, or FSVP and ISO 22000.
- Experience in scoping and implementing new technology.
- Proven experience in food safety and risk management.
- Ability to understand and interpret regulations, standards and requirements and translate it into internal control plans.
- Experience leading and managing teams, including coaching and mentoring employees.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to think strategically and develop and execute effective plans and programs.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to analyze data and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- This position is core to a career in food manufacturing providing exposure to quality systems, food safety management, sanitation programs, and regulatory compliance