Director of Food Safety and Quality Systems

About the Role

The Director of Food Safety & Quality Systems directs, continually develops, enhances, and maintains enterprise food safety and quality programs including FSMA, HACCP, SQF, and GMP. This role works with division quality leaders to develop and implement policies and procedures ensuring continued compliance with all regulatory, FSMA, PMO, CFR, SQF Certification, third-party, and customer requirements. The position collaborates with cross-departmental operational groups on process improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop Food Safety Plan by conducting and documenting facility hazard evaluation/analysis, developing and implementing preventive controls, and verifying plan effectiveness against FSMA requirements.
• Maintain GMP requirements to current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs).
• Remain current and serve as division subject matter expert (SME) on all mandated food safety regulations, laws, policies, and procedures of the FDA & USDA as mandated by the PMO, CFR & FSMA.
• Ensure all Shamrock divisions are audit-ready and serve as the co-host of regulatory inspections.
• Serve as multi-facility SQF Practitioner developing and validating SQF program procedures and policies (QA Managers are also required to be SQF practitioners).
• Drive simplification and standardization of audit process and execution across Shamrock Enterprise to ensure compliance with new and emerging regulatory standards and requirements.
• Coordinate all regulatory, customer, and third-party audits.
• Visit and confer with representatives of ingredient and packaging suppliers to obtain information related to vendor quality standards. Ensure vendor management program includes quality and food safety review for all materials.
• Work with R&D in the development of new product formulations and label compliance review.
• Establish and maintain enterprise quality management systems, policies, and procedures that enable Shamrock to comply with regulatory requirements and current regulatory expectations.
• Develop and maintain FSQA training for Shamrock Foods Company, including setting annual training requirements and training frequencies.
• Develop and maintain Shamrock vendor management program and policies, including auditing, performance monitoring, and inspection readiness programs.
• Interface directly with division QA leaders to assure cross-functional alignment of goals and objectives ensuring compliance and realization of systems-related best practices.
• Partner with IT/IS to develop and integrate a QMS roadmap that allows for scaling of systems to ensure continued compliance and growth of the business.
• Act as an expert resource and provide expertise, support, and guidance to internal and external partners in resolving complex food safety and product quality challenges and solutions for potential compliance risks.
• Participate in a monthly Quality Management Review meeting (QMR) to review a specific set of quality and compliance metrics to assess state of control and drive targeted actions for continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in food safety & quality assurance.
• 3+ years of direct management experience.
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliance with USDA, FDA, CFR, PMO, and implementing and managing third-party auditing schemes (GFSI, SQF).
• Demonstrated expertise in Dairy, meat, seafood, and edible oils manufacturing and processing including UHT manufacturing.
• Ability to review regulatory requirements and evaluate compliance, and experience with regulatory inspections.
• 20% or more travel required.
• Must be flexible and willing to work the demands of the department which may be subject to evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

• Shamrock Foods pays for the majority of health insurance, allowing employees to take home more of their paycheck.
• 401(k) Savings Plan.
• Profit Sharing.
• Paid Time Off.
• Growth opportunities, continued education, and wellness programs.