Director of Quality Assurance

Job Details

Job Location

WL - WHEELING, IL

Position Type

Full Time

Description

The Director Quality & Food Safety is a key member of the leadership team, providing strategic direction across our quality, food safety and sanitation organizations. The role will develop and analyze key metrics to identify areas of opportunity; provide expertise and guidance to our Operations teams in resolving complex food safety questions and challenges; represent Richelieu Foods with strategic customers regarding food safety matters; and participate in industry outreach activities to ensure that Richelieu Foods systems and processes are consistent with the latest science. This position reports directly to the Sr. Director of Quality and Food Safety.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develops strategic long range plans for the food safety, sanitation and auditing groups across the Richelieu Foods organization.
• Leads and directs continued implementation of best in class food safety, sanitation and supplier management processes and systems to protect the enterprise.
• Create a high-performance team by recruiting and developing teams with an appropriate mix of experience, capabilities, and skills to consistently meet company goals and departmental initiatives in the most cost-effective manner. Ensure effective succession planning for all pivotal positions
• Provides expertise, support and guidance to plant food safety & quality managers and the operations team in resolving critical and complex food safety and sanitation challenges, oversight for projects and programs including specifications, shelf life, quality audits and quality holds.
• Works collaboratively with Operations, Engineering and R&D leadership to resolve systemic challenges and implement effective and sustainable systems.
• Interprets and communicates customer requirements to plant production and/or support groups.
• Oversees and provides strategic planning for all Quality and Food Safety programs, including SQF, FSMA, HACCP and customer requirements as related to the quality and safety of finished products.
• Inspire the team and be the voice of the company’s core values, to motivate and capture personal commitment in creating a pathway to both their individual and our collective long-term success and growth.
• Develop a strong discipline of role clarity and hold self and team members accountable for performance and collaboration with the whole enterprise establishing and maintaining an inclusive and diverse culture that provides a positive employee experience and ensuring proactive performance management based on feedback, coaching and mentoring.
• Serves as Richelieu Foods key contact for food safety with Private Label and Co-Pack customers regarding quality and technical issues, customer complaints and resolves customer’s technical issues as required.
• Maintains strong knowledge of FDA regulations and lead the implementation of all new or revised regulations.
• Oversees approval process for new materials, both ingredients and packaging, and new vendors, ensuring FSMA compliance.
• Responsible for updates, annual review, and audit of Organic Programs.
• Successfully achieves or maintains GFSI (SQF) certification at all facilities.
• Maximizes staff performance through staff development and coaching, and the appropriate use of rewards and recognition. This includes training and development, recruitment, and mentoring.
• By example, creates a positive work environment that encourages cooperation, team work and risk taking, and values and respects differences.
  
  

Job Requirements

Qualified candidates will possess:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or equivalent
• 7-10 years of QA and Food Safety experience
• 4-8 years of managerial responsibility with project leadership accountability
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and strong leadership skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communications with the ability to share knowledge at appropriate levels of the organization
  
  

Ideal Candidates Will Also Possess

• SQF and HACCP certification
• Better Process Control training
• PCQI training
• Experience in Organic and Kosher food production
• Food and Environmental Microbiology
• Experience with FDA regulations and audits as it applies to Food Manufacturing operations
• Experience in USDA regulations