QA Director

Victoria Newitt Recruitment Inc has been retained by Daiya Foods to search for a Quality Assurance Director.

Job Title: QA Director

Department: QA

Reporting To: Chief Operations Officer

Daiya Foods are the original dairy‑free revolutionaries, leading the charge in what’s possible. They seamlessly blend tradition with innovation to change the landscape of dairy‑free and the way people eat. They are accountable, passionate, curious and purposeful. They celebrate diversity, compassion, and mutual trust for one another.

The Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance is responsible for defining and executing the strategy that ensures Daiya’s food safety and quality programs meet the highest standards across their owned manufacturing and co‑manufacturing network. This role leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of all food safety and quality systems—including SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and SFCA—while building a strong quality culture across the organization.

The Director leads a team through ongoing transformational change as Daiya adapts quality systems, introduces new ingredients and technologies, scales with co‑packers, and expands in both the US and Canada. The role requires someone who can think creatively and solve complex problems without compromising food safety, compliance, or operational discipline.

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the Food Safety & Quality Assurance team.
• Set the strategic direction and long‑term roadmap for food safety and quality across Daiya’s manufacturing and co‑packer network.
• Lead the team through transformational change as systems, processes, and business models evolve.
• Collaborate closely with senior leaders (Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Commercial) to embed a strong, consistent quality culture.

• Oversee the design, implementation, and ongoing optimization of food safety and quality systems (e.g., SQF, HACCP, GMP, FSMA, SFCA).
• Ensure all products, processes, and facilities meet internal standards and regulatory expectations in the US and Canada.
• Define, measure, and track key food safety and quality KPIs across internal manufacturing and co‑packer facilities, and drive corrective and preventive actions.

• Support the development and scaling of new ingredients, processes, and technologies, ensuring safe and seamless integration into production.
• Partner with R&D to design product development workflows that incorporate food safety, quality, and commercialization readiness from concept to launch.
• Serve as the quality voice at Innovation Councils and new product ideation sessions.

• Lead the evaluation, onboarding, and ongoing performance management of co‑packers, ensuring they consistently meet Daiya’s standards.
• Oversee vendor management systems to ensure ingredient quality and safety.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with co‑packers and suppliers to drive transparency, continuous improvement, and cost‑effective quality.

• Drive modernization initiatives including digital system implementations, automation of QA processes, and error reduction programs.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives that streamline quality processes and reduce risk to consumers and the business.

• Partner with Regulatory (no direct ownership) to ensure alignment between quality systems and labeling/claims requirements.
• Collaborate with Otsuka Corporate QA on global initiatives where applicable.

• Prepare and manage the annual budget for all food safety and quality initiatives and systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in food manufacturing, including exposure to diverse ingredient types or novel ingredient technologies.
• Deep understanding of SQF, HACCP, GMP, FSMA, and SFCA requirements.
• Strong experience with both owned manufacturing and co‑packing environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through…