Food Safety & Quality Assurance Director

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

This individual will guide the team and organization toward the successful market launch and transfer of manufacturing for new products. The FSQA Director is tasked with establishing project objectives, scope, assumptions, plans, and timelines for development initiatives. They collaborate with all departments to coordinate resources needed for project success. Additionally, the FSQA Director oversees company-wide programs in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory and Customer Compliance, Supplier Approval, Field Food Safety, Sanitation, Product Commercialization, and Continuous Improvement across all operations, including the Salinas and Yuma facilities. They also act as the primary contact for customers, regulators, certification bodies, auditors, and executive leadership.

This role is responsible for implementing and monitoring plant-level programs and procedures. It may also oversee the initiation, ongoing management, and compliance of programs related to regulatory standards, national accounts, company quality assurance, food safety, and other initiatives. Emphasis is placed on safety, quality, maintenance, and reliability. The person directs and coordinates organizational activities to achieve optimal efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and maximum profit. They review the department budget for potential cost reductions and allocate the operating budget accordingly. The role involves consulting with administrative staff and analyzing activity, operations, and sales reports to identify necessary program or operational adjustments. Collaboration with the QA Manager, Field Food Safety Manager, VP of Operations, and Human Resources Director is essential for planning, developing, and implementing policies and goals. The individual must ensure all activities under their supervision meet high standards of food quality, safety, legal compliance, and continuous process improvement. This position reports to the V.P of Operations.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide strategic leadership and governance for all Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, Sanitation, and Continuous Improvement programs across the organization.
2. Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including HACCP, GMPs, SQF/GFSI certification, environmental monitoring, traceability, recall preparedness, and document control programs.
3. Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, customer, industry, and company requirements, while maintaining audit-ready operations and a culture of continuous compliance.
4. Lead food safety and quality risk management activities, including incident investigations, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), crisis management, product disposition, and risk mitigation strategies.
5. Direct supplier quality, field food safety, and agricultural compliance programs, including grower approvals, ranch audits, agricultural water compliance, supplier qualification, and supply chain risk assessments.
6. Oversee validation, verification, and scientific support programs, including process validations, sanitation validations, environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, shelf-life studies, and performance trending.
7. Lead customer food safety and quality programs, including technical reviews, complaint management, specification compliance, customer audits, corrective actions, and initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction and confidence.
8. Develop and lead high-performing FSQA and Sanitation teams through coaching, succession planning, performance management, training, and promotion of a strong food safety and quality culture.
9. Utilize data analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor performance, identify trends, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and support strategic business decisions.
10. Serve as the primary company representative for food safety and quality matters, interacting with customers, regulatory agencies, certification bodies, auditors, industry organizations, and executive leadership while supporting new product commercialization and strategic growth initiatives.