Director of Food Safety Processes

About the Opportunity The Director, Food Safety Processes is the strategic leader accountable for defining and advancing Driscoll’s food safety and regulatory compliance framework across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Peru. This role sets the path forward for what compliance means at Driscoll’s by translating emerging regulatory requirements, customer expectations, industry standards and business priorities into scalable policies, programs, governance and integrity systems.

The Director has primary accountability for the performance and continued evolution of the food safety compliance sub-function, ensuring that requirements are clear, risk-based, practical and consistently embedded across growers, facilities and supply-chain operations. The Director combines deep produce-industry expertise and established external relationships with enterprise influence. The role represents Driscoll’s with regulators, customers, academia, industry associations and technical partners. The role anticipates external developments, shapes strategies that protect consumers, strengthens trust in Driscoll’s brand and enables business continuity.

The Director leads a direct report who supports food safety systems and consistent implementation across markets. This role provides functional direction to cross-regional and cross-functional teams responsible for implementing compliance policies, systems, audits and improvement priorities. Strategic Scope and Accountability Includes:
• Own the multi-year strategy, operating model and roadmap for the food safety compliance sub-function, aligned with functional strategy and business priorities
• Establish enterprise governance for food safety policies, standards, procedures, records and verification programs across the United States, Canada, Peru and Mexico
• Anticipate changes in regulation, GFSI-recognized schemes, customer expectations and industry best practices; determine business implications and lead timely, scalable responses
• Set priorities, allocate resources and define decision rights for compliance programs, systems, audits and strategic initiatives
• Advise the Vice President of Food Safety and senior leaders on material compliance risks, emerging issues, strategic choices and investment needs
• Build and sustain external relationships that provide early insight, strengthen Driscoll’s influence and support practical, science-based policy outcomesResponsibilities
** Please Note the following
** This role requires an on-site presence in Watsonville, California or Guadalajara, Mexico Remote work is not authorized for this position

Please submit all CV's / Resumes in English
• Compliance Strategy and Leadership:
Define and execute the Driscoll’s of the Americas (DOTA) food safety compliance strategy. Establish the principles, governance and future-state standards that guide policy and program design, implementation and continuous improvement.
• Regulatory and Industry Foresight:
Monitor and interpret scientific, regulatory, customer, certification and industry developments. Assess enterprise impact, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and direct cross-functional response strategies before requirements affect operations.
• Policy and Program Governance:
Own the hierarchy and lifecycle of food safety policies, programs, standards, procedures, forms and records. Establish document control, approval, change-management and implementation protocols that create clarity and consistency across the business.
• Systems and Data Strategy:
Provide strategic direction and governance for food safety compliance systems, including TELUS, FACTS, Azzule and Safety Chain. Define future capabilities, data integrity expectations, system ownership and integration…