Location

Relocation

Description

Director of Quality & Food Safety USDA facilities

Summary

(Meats, Nutritionally Derived Products)

Our client is a leader in the manufacturer of high-quality food products made with proteins and healthy ingredients based in the greater Dallas, TX area. This manufacturer is private equity owned and they are investing substantial financial resources to grow and scale the business. They are looking to hire an experienced Director of Quality/Food Safety who can make substantial QA structural and procedural changes to “build out” the quality discipline. Must have demonstratable experience managing “change”. adding structure and be considered a “Change Agent” committed to continuous improvement. This role is the most senior-level quality professional in the organization and reports directly to the CEO. They will oversee a few physical locations in the greater Dallas area.

The Director of Food Safety & Quality will oversee the organization’s food safety and quality assurance functions including; supplier, partners, and production facilities. Responsible for ensuring all processes and procedures follow internal, regulatory and customer food safety and quality assurance expectations. Regularly interfaces and coordinates with production management, sales, and other functional areas to ensure strategic efforts align with quality and food safety requirements while achieving maximum efficiency and production demands.

Responsibilities

▪ Effectively leads teams responsible for food safety and quality to ensure all required standards and company goals are met.
▪ Actively engages with internal and external teams to develop and document SOPs, complete ongoing training and development, and regular inspect adherence and performance of functional area.
▪ Partner with teams and external partners to define and development food safety, sanitation, and monitoring programs to meet internal, customer, and regulatory standards.
▪ Drives continuous improvement initiatives with streamlined workflows and implementing best practices while being a champion for a culture of excellence with emphasis on food safety, curiosity, and integrity.
▪ Serves as primary contact in conjunction with Quality Managers for all audits, respond to regulatory inquiries, and as a liaison for regulatory compliance agencies (i.e. USDA, FDA, etc.).
▪ Leads team on incident investigations and for defining, implementing, documenting, and monitoring, and all remedial plans.
▪ Assist team with innovation to validate ideas internally, attend and provide feedback for product trials, and serve as the Quality representative for production partners and suppliers.
▪ Support Customer Service to monitor consumer complaints and research as necessary; Coordinate with customer service, production, and shipping to proactively address held product that could result in potential delays in shipments; Identify corrective actions.
▪ Provide technical support to plant management, service groups and sales, regarding process/product improvement through analysis of product composition, quality, and function ability.
▪ Provide training, guidance, and continual feedback to develop employee skills and provide consistent feedback on both positive and negative performance.
▪ Actively participate in ensuring a productive and supportive work environment by cooperating with all team members throughout office and production departments.
▪ Address and/or escalate to appropriate parties of any failures to comply with job protocols and requirements.

Requirements

• Must have at least a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science or related discipline. Advanced degree is preferred.
• Must have at least 7+ years of experience in quality, food safety-related functions specifically in meat and/or USDA industry
• Must Ability to successfully manage a technical team including, but not limited to, planning, scheduling, leadership, conflict, resolution, and training.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple functional areas effectively and positively influence teamwork, coordination, projects, and quality assurance.
• Must have comprehensive experience in developing and HACCP programs, GMP systems and Food Safety strategy
• Must have experience in sanitation and pest control
• Must have experience with QA audits
• MUST have excellent written & oral communication skills including the ability to influence others
• Prefer applicants that have experience working with customers/end users
• MUST have experience developing and implementing supplier certification programs
• MUST have strong team management and project management skills.
• MUST have the ability to build team consensus

In return, they can offer a very competitive salary and bonus structure, world class comprehensive benefits, relocation assistance and ample opportunity for career advancement. For immediate consideration, please send resume to jobs@foodemployment.com or contact us at 239-839-2914 for additional information.