Director, Chemical & Food Safety Programs

Primary

Purpose:

Develop and implement food and product safety programs for FMI members; provide technical expertise for FMI members; direct food protection activities for the FMI membership; interact with federal, state and local regulatory officials; and represent FMI and its members with external constituents.

• Develop and deliver food safety and product safety programs for product supplier members, ensuring content is relevant, timely, and aligned with FMI’s strategic objectives.
• Support the Product Supplier Scientific Affairs Committee, including recruitment of new members; coordinating and planning of committee events; facilitating conference calls/webinars as needed; conducting member outreach, ensuring timely follow-up on action items.
• Direct FMI’s activities on chemical contaminants with a focus on providing support for science-based policies to regulate approved and unexpected contaminants. Serve as a technical expert for FMI internal and external stakeholders on chemical contaminants in food.
• Support chemical safety initiatives through research, coordination, and engagement with industry stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and subject matter experts.
• Assist in the development and implementation of programs, resources, and communications related to chemical safety and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor emerging chemical safety trends, regulations, and industry developments to help inform organizational priorities and member guidance.
• Evaluate member needs and prioritize initiatives to ensure critical food safety objectives and emerging risks are effectively addressed.
• Research and evaluate information, including published data, regulations, and policies to develop concise summaries and provide relevant information and resources to members.
• Collaborate with FMI’s Public Policy team to provide technical support and to assist in advocating for science-based policies.
• Proactively identify emerging food safety issues, regulatory developments, and news, and coordinate outreach and resource development to support member preparedness and response.
• Partner and collaborate with regulatory officials, academia, contractors and other external stakeholders to support members, and enhance food safety and public health programs.
• Coordinate and conduct member visits to review and discuss food and product safety issues.

• Other duties related to food and product safety as assigned.

• Normal office environment requiring use of typical business equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, fax, copier, security system).
• Ability to travel 10-20% of the time (locally or domestic travel throughout the United States).
• The person in this position will be eligible to work a hybrid work schedule Monday through Thursday requiring a minimum of two days in the office per week during that four-day period and every Friday will be a remote workday (unless management determines otherwise).

• College degree in a field related to food safety, food science, chemistry or toxicology.
• An advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of seven to ten years of professional work experience with at least seven years directly related to food safety.
• Must have a solid chemical safety background.
• Knowledge and experience with food manufacturing and food safety management including HACCP, Preventive Control programs, food microbiology and a working knowledge of chemical contaminants and toxicology.
• Knowledge of federal and state food regulations and regulatory authorities and agencies.
• Interest in and awareness of global food safety practices and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to facilitate member discussions on complex scientific, regulatory and compliance issues.
• Knowledge of the federal regulatory process and experience drafting comments on federal regulatory issues related to food science, food safety, ingredient safety, allergens and other technical topics.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to create presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and experience presenting to a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of computers and…