Director, Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Director Of Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC)

We invite you to join Takasago, where you can be innovative and contribute to society through technology. The management of Takasago aims to create a company where each employee can experience a sense of fulfillment and happiness at a high level. Specifically, we strive to establish an environment where people from diverse backgrounds can work with joy and a sense of purpose, create a system that supports individual growth, and above all, implement management practices that enable employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Takasago is a major global leader and producer of flavors and fragrances providing innovative solutions in flavors, fragrances, aroma ingredients, and fine chemicals. Takasago is headquartered in Japan and operates in over 27 countries, with manufacturing facilities, research and development centers, and sales offices worldwide. Takasago ranked 8th overall and 1st in Asia on the Global Top Food Flavors and Fragrances Companies.

Job Summary: The Director of Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC) has a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring that all manufacturing processes and products meet regulatory, food safety, and internal quality standards. This position oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive QA, QC, and food safety systems that protect product integrity, consumer health, and the company's reputation for excellence.

The Director leads quality teams across inspection, testing, audits, and compliance programs while partnering closely with production, engineering, supply chain, and regulatory teams to drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation. This role ensures adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), ISO standards, and applicable federal, state, and customer requirements across all manufacturing sites in the United States. Food Safety – Flavors Only

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality assurance, quality control, and food safety systems in compliance with FDA, USDA, ISO, HACCP, GMP, and other applicable regulatory and customer standards.
• Manage and conduct internal, external, and third-party audits and inspections, including SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, and customer audits.
• Oversee inspection, testing, and monitoring of raw materials, in-process components, and finished products to ensure compliance with specifications and quality standards.
• Investigate quality issues, non-conformances, deviations, and customer complaints; implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and supply chain teams to monitor critical control points, improve processes, and reduce defects and waste.
• Lead and mentor QA/QC staff, providing training on quality standards, food safety practices, regulatory requirements, and inspection techniques.
• Manage supplier quality programs, including supplier audits, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives with vendors.
• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation, records, and traceability within quality management systems (QMS).
• Analyze quality data, KPIs, and trends using statistical and root-cause analysis tools to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Stay current on regulatory changes, industry trends, and emerging risks to proactively update policies, procedures, and training programs.
• Prepare and present quality performance reports to senior leadership, highlighting risks, trends, and improvement plans.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, and/or food safety within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, ISO 9001, and relevant third-party certifications.
• Proven experience managing audits, compliance programs, and quality teams.
• Proficiency in quality tools and methodologies such as root cause analysis, CAPA, statistical process control (SPC), and Six Sigma.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM), ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, or similar.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks.
• Advanced degree in Food Science, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience working in a multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with environmental health and safety (EHS) and OSHA requirements.
• Experience with QMS software and advanced data analysis tools.

Skills & Competencies: This role requires strong analytical skills to interpret inspection, audit, and production data and identify risks or improvement opportunities. Effective leadership and communication skills are essential for managing QA/QC teams, leading audits, and collaborating across departments. Technical expertise in regulatory frameworks, food safety principles, and quality standards supports compliant and efficient operations. Problem-solving and continuous improvement skills enable the Manager to reduce defects, improve processes, and enhance overall operational excellence.

Physical Demands: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines which includes a computer, printer, typewriter, facsimile machine, copy machine, calculator, telephone, laboratory equipment, etc. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may handle hazardous chemicals in the laboratory. The employee will be required to wear all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including but not limited to eye protection, gloves, and lab coat. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Physical demands vary from sedentary to moderately active work to include standing, walking, and reaching for prolonged periods of time, not to exceed 8 hours for any given activity.

Takasago's Employee Benefits and Perks: Takasago offers flexible work arrangements, tuition assistance, health benefits, employee discounts to various services and products, and life insurance 1.5 times your salary. When we think about employee success and financial security, we think long-term. Takasago provides robust retirement savings plans, as well as an employee assistance program. We hope you will join us and achieve professional growth and enrichment.

EEO Statement: Takasago is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law