Director, Food Quality Assurance

Director, Food Quality Assurance

Store Support Center located at 600 Citadel Drive, Commerce, CA, 90040.

The Director, Food Quality Assurance directs, facilitates and leads the Quality Assurance Team in the development and maintenance of an enterprise-wide quality assurance system for corporate brand products by performing the following duties personally and/or with other team members.

• Directs and coordinates the development of Quality Assurance Team goals and objectives in harmony with company-wide and corporate procurement goals and objectives.
• Provides technical expertise and assists in store associate training, establishment of sales materials, procedures and guidelines as it relates to company-wide food safety HACCP-based programs and compliance to State and Local agencies and Health Departments, FDA, USDA and EPA regulations.
• Provides technical expertise and assists in the establishment of food safety and HACCP programs in all operating companies.
• Performs the duties of quality assurance liaison with government agencies. Coordinates action necessary with regards to proposed and new regulations and policies issued by State and local Health Departments, US FDA, USDA, EPA, and Department of Commerce as it relates to food service and retail food industry.
• Ensures that Quality Assurance Department capabilities are in-step with technological advances in food science and other industry-related programs. This includes associate developmental training, Quality Assurance Manual maintenance and QA lab test equipment upgrade.
• Provides technical expertise as a member of company Product Recall Task Force. Writes and updates Product Recall Standard Operating Procedure. Coordinates the issuing of company-wide Product Removals and Product Recalls.
• Provides technical direction in new product development to ensure proper positioning of corporate brand products relative to pre-determined tiers and/or brand.
• Ensures that applicable packaging and labeling meet US FDA, USDA, Department of Commerce, EPA, and State regulatory requirements. Responsible for EPA submittal and maintenance of corporate brand product registration in states where products are sold.
• Directs action to be taken when customer complaints are received on both national brand and private label products. Provides technical expertise to Customer Relations Coordinator in response to customer requests. Coordinates with vendor on corrective action to be taken. Liaison for legal, risk management, operations, warehouse and buying.
• Writes and implements quality assurance procedures for monitoring corporate brand standards in all warehouses. Provides direction in rejection of product that are not in compliance with established Smart & Final Product specifications and/or government standards.
• Establishes product specifications for corporate brand products and ensures that they are updated relative to target brand trends.
• Ensures that corporate brand products and vendors meet regulatory, food safety and Smart & Final requirements. Establishes guidelines and writes procedure for vendor manufacturing facility inspections and approves vendors as potential corporate brands suppliers.
• Develops materials and participates in product information seminars and cuttings for sales associates.
• Participates in Corporate Procurement Team activities.

Directs the Corporate Brands Team – Quality Assurance. Carries out leadership responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training associates; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining associates; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and employing facilitation skills to ensure team success.

BA/BS in food science/chemistry/related field and a minimum of 8 to 10 years managerial experience of a quality assurance function in a corporate brands setting or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must have valid driver’s license and ability to drive vehicle.

The salary range for this position is $ to $. The actual starting pay will be determined by a number of qualifications; including, experience and relevant skills.

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.