Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance; FSQA

Position: Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA)
Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA)

We are seeking a Director of FSQA to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems across a frozen food co‑packing operation serving multiple branded and private label customers. The role ensures compliance with all FDA, USDA (if applicable), FSMA, SQF/BRC, GFCP, customer requirements, and global regulatory standards, overseeing strategy, certifications, regulatory interactions, customer audit management, co‑manufacturing quality agreements, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company’s FSQA strategic vision to support business growth, customer expectations, and regulatory compliance.

• Ensure full compliance with FSMA Preventive Controls, HACCP, HARPC, GMPs, FSVP, allergen controls, traceability, and recall readiness.

• Maintain and elevate facility certifications including SQF, Organic, Kosher, GFCP, Halal, Non‑GMO, and customer addendums.

• Lead regulatory inspections and serve as primary liaison with federal, state, and local agencies.

• Oversee development, approval, and maintenance of all FSQA programs, SOPs, policies, and quality management systems.

• Direct Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP), sanitation verification, and pathogen control strategies.

• Ensure robust documentation control, label accuracy, ingredient specification management, and formula verification.

• Lead root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), and continuous improvement processes.

• Manage co‑packing quality agreements and align with each customer’s brand standards and regulatory expectations.

• Lead customer audits, visits, and technical calls; ensure high audit performance and zero major non‑conformances.

• Oversee specification adherence, formula change approvals, first production runs, and commercialization trials.

• Partner with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and Engineering on process capability, yield improvements, line validations, and hygienic design initiatives.

• Implement data‑driven performance metrics (KPIs), including consumer complaints, non‑conformances, audit scores, and quality costs.

• Lead incident management, including product holds, deviations, foreign material control, and recall/traceability exercises.

• Lead, mentor, and develop Regulatory Compliance manager, FSQA manager, supervisors, and technicians to foster a proactive food safety culture.

• Establish departmental goals, succession planning, training initiatives, and performance management.

Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.

• Minimum 5‑8 years of progressive FSQA leadership experience in frozen food manufacturing, preferably in a co‑packing environment.

• Extensive knowledge of FDA/USDA regulations, SQF/BRC certification schemes, and GFSI standards.

• Experience managing complex customer relationships and technical agreements.

• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP certification required.

• SQF Practitioner, BRC Site Lead, or equivalent GFSI certification strongly preferred.

• Strong leadership presence with ability to influence cross‑functional teams.

• Exceptional understanding of quality systems, food microbiology, and risk‑based decision making.

• Excellent communication, project management, and customer‑facing skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic co‑manufacturing environment.

• Six Sigma/Lean certification a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work within timelines and under pressure based on production needs.

• Availability to work scheduled hours, including weekends as required.

• Ability to stand, bend, and climb stairs for extended periods (10‑12 hours per day as needed).

• Ability to work in a refrigerated environment (32‑36 °F).

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds multiple times throughout the day.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in the launch of a next‑generation facility.

• Work with a collaborative and innovation‑driven team.

• Help deliver high‑quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers.

• Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability.

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