Director of Quality

Are you a quality leader who leads with integrity, builds strong relationships, and believes people are the foundation of long-term success? Our client, a respected and growing leader in cheese and dairy ingredients, is seeking a Director of Quality to lead all quality, regulatory, and food safety functions across a complex manufacturing operation. This is a rare opportunity to join a highly successful, farmer-owned cooperative known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and operational excellence. Their diverse product portfolio includes cheese, whey derivatives, lactose, dry powders, and infant-formula-grade ingredients serving customers around the globe. Reporting directly to the VP of Manufacturing, this high-impact leadership role is a key member of the plant leadership team. You will partner closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and corporate leadership to strengthen a culture of food safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will bring a proactive, prevention-focused mindset, leveraging data-driven decision-making to drive sustainable results, support business growth, and ensure world-class quality standards across the organization. 5-7+ years of progressive leadership experience in Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory Compliance within food, dairy, or ingredient manufacturing environments. Deep understanding of quality systems, food safety programs, regulatory requirements, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing setting. Demonstrated success leading customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, driving CAPA programs, and influencing cross-functional teams to achieve sustainable results. Extensive experience in dairy, dairy ingredients, and/or infant-formula-grade manufacturing environments. Multi-site quality leadership experience a plus. Certifications including FSMA/PCQI, SQF Practitioner, and HACCP required; Halal, Kosher, and other GFSI scheme experience highly valued. Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline required. A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build trust, develop teams, and drive a culture of quality, food safety, and accountability. #J-18808-Ljbffr