Location

Relocation

Description

Director of Quality

Summary

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY
Location: Salem-Winston, NC
SUMMARY
Our client is a leading manufacturer of salad dressing, sauces and condiments sold across NA. They are hiring an experienced Director of Quality Assurance to oversee the quality function for the company (2 plants) and will play a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. With oversight of all aspects of the quality function and food safety across the entire manufacturing process the QA Director is responsible for:
• Planning, developing, and directing quality assurance policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Directing process and product testing to ensure materials, parts, and products comply with established quality standards and government regulations.
• Developing and implementing quality standards, tools, training, and methods.
• Monitoring and evaluating the performance of the production process and quality of resulting products to improve existing modes of operation.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITY
Quality Management:
Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive quality management system to ensure consistency and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Establish and monitor quality control procedures, ensuring that all products meet or exceed established quality specifications.
Manage document control, food fraud and food defense programs
Regulatory Compliance:
Stay up to date with relevant food safety regulations and standards (including HACCP, FDA, USDA, etc.), and industry best practices, and ensure company-wide adherence.
Collaborate with regulatory agencies and participate in audits and inspections to ensure compliance; resolve any non-compliance issues.
Team Leadership:
Build and lead a high-performing quality assurance team, providing mentorship, training, and guidance to ensure the team's professional growth and effectiveness.
Foster a culture of quality and accountability throughout the organization by promoting continuous improvement and proactive problem-solving.
Supplier and Vendor Management:
Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to establish quality requirements for raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials from suppliers.
Monitor and assess the performance of suppliers and vendors, conducting audits and evaluations to ensure their compliance with quality standards.
Process Improvement:
Identify opportunities for process optimization and enhancement to improve product quality, reduce waste, and increase operational efficiency.
Implement data-driven approaches for analyzing quality trends and making informed decisions to address potential issues.
Product Development Support:
Collaborate with product development team to ensure new products meet quality and safety standards during the formulation and testing phases.
Provide technical expertise to resolve quality-related challenges during the product development process.
Internal Audits and Training:
Conduct regular internal audits to evaluate manufacturing processes, procedures, and quality systems for compliance and effectiveness.
Develop and deliver training programs for employees to enhance their understanding of quality standards, safety protocols, and best practices.
Third Party Audits
Prepare for and ensure compliance with third party audits. This includes industry audits such as SQF and third party audits from private label / co-pack customers.
Communication and Reporting:
Prepare and present quality-related reports to senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, trends, and areas for improvement.
Communicate quality-related issues and initiatives effectively across cross-functional teams and departments.
Maintain consumer contact / complaint data and participate in corrective actions for any product that is out of compliance or poses a real or potential health risk

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS
• Must have at least a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Quality Management, or related field.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in quality assurance and quality control within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, standards, and compliance requirements.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to lead and motivate a diverse team.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience with quality management systems (SQF, ISO, HACCP, GMP, etc.).
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and quality-related software including Microsoft Office.
• Fluency in English is a requirement; Spanish language skills is a plus
In return, they can offer a competitive base, bonus, benefits and relocation. Send resume to: jobs@foodemployment.com or call 239-839-2914 for details