Head of Quality Operation Americas

Key Responsibilities

• Lead quality, food/feed safety, compliance, and risk management programs across the Americas.
• Serve as a regional subject matter expert for FDA, MAPA, CFIA, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, FAMI-QS, ISO 9001, and related standards.
• Strengthen inspection readiness and support responses to regulatory inspections, customer audits, and certification audits.
• Partner with site and functional leaders to identify risks, close gaps, and implement sustainable improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop quality leaders while setting regional objectives, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Standardize quality systems and ways of working to support consistency, scalability, and strong operational performance.
• Oversee key quality programs, including CAPA, nonconformance management, document control, internal audits, environmental monitoring, complaints, and product release governance.
• Use data, risk-based thinking, and operational insights to improve quality system performance and simplify processes.
• Lead regional responses to significant quality events, product safety concerns, regulatory inquiries, and recalls.
• Build a culture of accountability, transparency, continuous improvement, and Always Quality across the region.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical or Biological Engineering, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of leadership experience in food, feed, dietary supplement, ingredient, biotechnology, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of experience leading managers and quality teams across multiple locations.
• Direct experience with FDA regulations, inspections, and regulatory expectations.
• Proven ability to lead food/feed safety and quality programs in a manufacturing environment.

Core Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker who can translate vision into practical execution.
• Collaborative influencer who builds trust with senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Clear communicator with strong change leadership skills.
• Resilient leader who can guide teams through complexity and transformation.
• Data-driven decision-maker focused on quality, compliance, and business outcomes.

Ways of Working

This is a hybrid role based in West Allis, Wisconsin, or Franklinton, North Carolina. Travel is approximately 35–45% to connect with teams and stakeholders, support site needs, and participate in customer or industry activities.