Vice President Quality/Food Safety

Job Title: Vice President  Quality/Food Safety

Summary:

This position provides global leadership and expertise to ensure the company’s products meet the highest standards for Food Safety and Quality.  This role works closely with manufacturing, sales, R&D, Purchasing, and other departments to ensure the company has a best in class food safety culture and quality focus.   

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the strategic direction and effective execution of food safety and quality assurance plans, policies, and actions. Monitors progress through the use of effective leading and lagging indicators and spends the appropriate amount of time in the manufacturing plants to personally observe and coach on FSQA matters.
• Able to effectively collaborate with the manufacturing leaders to align on FSQA strategy and execution and drive change where needed with a sense of urgency.
• Drives the development and implementation of best practices in food safety & quality assurance across common food manufacturing platforms.
• Serves as the subject matter expert on behalf of the organization for food safety, quality, FSMA, GFSI, company FSQA policies/procedures. Also responsible to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met concerning weights/measures, product claims, declarations, etc.
• Provides direction, development and oversight of the Corporate FSQA team, FSQA Regional Managers and by association, the manufacturing plant FSQA Managers and sanitation departments. Embraces continuous improvement by setting clear goals & objectives, empowering the FSQA team and holding them accountable for results.
• Ensures (and is directly involved when required) the effective management of key customer QA relationships in conjunction with sales personnel and inspires customer confidence.
• Ensures the company has top talent in all food safety & quality assurance leadership positions and ensures the proper development of these resources.
• Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization and influences key stakeholders to make positive change in food safety and quality systems.
• Assure microbiological and analytical services and operations are meeting standards, accreditations and best practices.
• Represent the Food Safety and Quality function to all business teams and serve as a conduit for information. Improve visibility to food safety and quality performance across the organization.

Education/Certifications:

• BS. (Masters preferred) Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, etc.
• SQF Practitioner Certification
• Valid Driver’s License.

Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive Food Safety, Quality Assurance and Regulatory

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge in GFSI, HACCP, PCQI, etc.
• Expert knowledge in FDA regulations.
  • Working knowledge of USDA, CFIA regulations would be a plus.
• Strong working knowledge and experience with Lean process/culture.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and a sense of urgency with the drive to make continuous improvements. Must understand change management and how to drive positive change throughout the enterprise as it relates to food safety and quality.
• Ability to operate on multiple levels from the strategic to “hands on” to accomplish results.
• Demonstrated ability to make and act on decisions while balancing speed, quality and risk.
• Ability to think clearly and in a decisive manner while remaining calm under in pressure situations.
• Excellent and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills backed-up by strong technical knowledge are critical to success in this role.
• Must be proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,
• Experience with SAP QM or other ERP systems experience is preferred.
• Must have good writing skills and be able to communicate effectively with customers and people at all levels of the company.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has multiple direct reports all professional level: Regional FSQA Managers, Global Director of Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance, Food Safety & Quality Systems Manager

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Standard office environment, but will spend time in manufacturing plans which can be cold/hot environments
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.