Regional Director of Quality Assurance

Overview

As the Regional Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, you will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality across our operations in the United States and/or Canada. You will lead a team of professionals dedicated to maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensure individual plant teams are executing expected actions to meet corporate objectives.
• Manage assigned plant FS‑Q managers and interact with operations, R&D, CI, and other relevant teams to implement the company’s strategic plan encompassing all aspects of food safety and quality.
• Coach plant FS‑Q managers to ensure they perform in accordance with strategic and tactical milestones necessary to achieve operational goals.
• Manage key customer QA relationships in conjunction with sales personnel.
• Drive complaint response process and resolution.
• Support and coach Plant FS‑Q Managers for administering the department’s budget to ensure proper allocation of resources.
• Assess and manage plant resources to ensure QA and Food Safety KPI goals are achieved for the manufacturing plants under its purview.
• Ensure the food safety and quality of product and services by assessing compliance with product testing, performing internal assessments and audits of the FS‑Q system and product lines, placing defective products on hold, and taking corrective action.
• Ensure all regulatory requirements are met, including weights/measures, food safety, product claims, declarations, etc.
• Collaborate to standardize QA policies and procedures to improve efficiency and reduce cost.
• Identify and communicate FS‑QA technologies to improve quality and reduce costs.
• Coach and develop QA Managers to perform at a constantly exceptional level of performance, including but not limited to the sanitation program and compliance with the GFSI approved scheme audits; act as the plant’s SQF back‑up Practitioner when required.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Manage multiple direct reports, including Sr. Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Analyst.
• Supervise and monitor work performance of direct reports, make final decisions on hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluate program/work objectives and effectiveness, and realign work and staffing assignments as needed.
• Develop functional responsibilities of individuals reporting to this position and ensure that best‑in‑class output is created.

Typical work in an office environment with periods of time spent in manufacturing plants, exposed to dirt, dust, fumes, odors, darkness, poor lighting, noise, and vibration. Seasonal exposure to extreme temperatures, wetness, and humidity. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds stantial travel required (up to 70%) mostly in North America.

• Education/Certifications and
  
  Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of seven (7) years of management experience including Quality Management Systems and/or Manufacturing experience.
• Preferred experience in a bakery/dry mixing (dry blending, tortillas and baked goods) production environment.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note) and other related applications or software.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, sense of urgency and drive for continuous improvements.
• Ability to operate at single and multi‑site levels, both managerial and hands‑on.
• Must be a “working manager.”
• Demonstrated ability to make and act on decisions while balancing speed, food safety, quality and risk.
• Strong background in sanitation principles and practices, GFSI approved schemes (SQF, BRC), HACCP, GMPs, Safety and SPC.
• Ability to think clearly and decisively, remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a matrix environment and build strong relationships by being transparent, reliable, and accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills backed‑up by strong technical…