Director of Food Safety

Job Summary

The Food Safety Director leads BrightFarms' food safety strategy and ensures the highest standards of food safety, regulatory compliance, and product integrity across all growing and production facilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute BrightFarms enterprise food safety strategy across all growing, harvesting, packing, and distribution operations
• Lead and continuously improve the company's Food Safety Management System while ensuring compliance with FDA regulations, FSMA, SQF certification requirements, customer expectations, and industry best practices
• Serve as the company's food safety expert, providing strategic guidance to executive leadership and cross-functional business partners
• Build scalable food safety programs that support company growth, operational excellence, and customer confidence
• Oversee environmental monitoring, sanitation validation, water quality programs, allergen controls, pest management, and preventive food safety initiatives
• Develop enterprise food safety KPIs and leverage data analytics to identify trends, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement
• Lead investigations involving food safety incidents, customer complaints, product holds, withdrawals, and recalls while ensuring timely root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Develop and maintain food safety policies, standards, procedures, and training programs that reinforce a world-class food safety culture
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing food safety team while fostering continuous learning and professional development
• Evaluate emerging regulations, scientific research, and industry trends to proactively strengthen BrightFarms food safety programs
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and external regulatory agencies to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain
• Support new product launches, facility expansions, automation initiatives, and capital projects by incorporating food safety principles into planning and execution
• Champion a culture where food safety is everyone's responsibility and is embedded in every aspect of the business

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Biology, Agriculture, or a related scientific discipline required; Master's degree preferred
• 10+ years of progressive food safety leadership experience within food manufacturing, fresh produce, or controlled environment agriculture
• Multi-site leadership experience managing enterprise food safety programs across multiple facilities
• Strong experience in fresh-cut produce, leafy greens, hydroponic agriculture, or other highly perishable food manufacturing environments preferred
• Extensive knowledge of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Produce Safety Rule, Preventive Controls, GMPs, GAPs, HACCP, sanitation programs, and microbiological risk management
• Extensive experience managing allergens and allergen controls
• Proven success leading FDA inspections, customer audits, third-party certifications, and regulatory compliance initiatives
• Extensive experience managing environmental monitoring programs, sanitation validation, CAPA programs, water quality, and preventive food safety systems
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification preferred
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence leaders at every level of the organization
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills
• Experience using quality management systems, food safety technologies, and performance metrics to improve business outcomes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% to support BrightFarms growing network of farms
• Passion for food safety, innovation, continuous improvement, and sustainable agriculture