Director of Ingredient Quality & Continuous Improvement

Director of Ingredient Quality & Continuous Improvement (North America)

Location:

NYC, Toronto, Chicago, Phoenix (with travel required)

We are looking for a high-impact leader to bridge the gap between Quality data and Operational execution. This is not a "desk job." As the Director of Ingredient Quality & CI, you will be the chief architect and project owner for North American quality standards. You will identify systemic failures and lead the development and implementation of solutions across the entire supply chain, from suppliers through our operations and right to our customers' doorstep.

Success is measured by moving metrics, requiring a full project lifecycle from data deep-dive to staff training and process adoption.

• Own the Implementation Lifecycle:
  Lead the end-to-end development and execution of our quality programs, focusing on root cause and re-engineering processes to drive sustained defect rate reductions.
• Architect the NA Meal Kit Quality Program:
  Develop a unified quality strategy for the North American network, building standards, systems, processes, and automated tracking to ensure consistency across all sites.
• Drive Operational Accountability:
  Translate quality KPIs into actionable SOPs for our Distribution Centers, managing implementation to sustain new initiatives.
• Advanced Quality Reporting:
  Own the North American quality reporting suite and evolve real-time data capabilities to provide predictive insights instead of only post‑mortem reports.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership:
  Serve as the primary quality liaison for Product, Procurement, Operations, and Logistics, addressing problems promptly.
• Continuous Improvement Mentality:
  Apply Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste, reduce ingredient damage, and directly impact the bottom line.
• Build and Mentor a High‑Performance Team:
  Recruit, train, coach, and manage a team of quality professionals and continuous improvement specialists across North America, fostering accountability and data-driven decision‑making.
• Drive Organizational Change:
  Champion quality‑first thinking throughout the organization, influencing leaders and inspiring team members at all levels to adopt new processes and standards.

• Operator at Heart:
  You understand that a quality program is only as good as the operator’s ability to execute it; you enjoy walking the lines and solving problems in real time.
• Finisher:
  You have a proven track record of seeing complex projects through to completion without hand‑off.
• Strategic & Tactical:
  You can present a 3‑year quality roadmap to a boardroom and troubleshoot a conveyor belt interface with a floor lead in the same day.
• Influential:
  You can convince Ops leaders to change processes by proving higher quality standards lead to higher efficiency and lower costs.
• Talent Developer:
  You take pride in developing the next generation of quality and operational leaders with clear career paths and constructive feedback.
• Communicator:
  You effectively convey complex quality initiatives, process changes, and performance results to diverse audiences, from site associates to executives.

• 8+ years in Food Safety, Quality, or Operational Excellence, managing teams and large-scale projects in a high‑volume manufacturing or logistics environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Supply Chain, or Engineering (Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt highly preferred).
• Mastery of data visualization tools like Tableau or Power
  
  BI and deep knowledge of Food Safety regulations (SQF, HACCP).
• Travel:
  Ability to travel up to 25% to North American Distribution Centers, requiring physical presence for implementation success.

• Competitive hourly rate with 401(k) company match that vests immediately upon participation and team bonus opportunities.
• Generous PTO and flexible attendance policy.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment.
• Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to Hello Fresh meal plans (Hello Fresh, Green Chef, Every plate, and Factor).
• Access to Employee Resource Groups open to all employees, including BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+.
• Inclusiv…