Head of Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Head Of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

The Head of Food Safety & Quality Assurance is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and guidance for Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) through programs and systems that protect consumers, customers, and brands. This role provides leadership, direction, and support to the food safety and quality function, sanitation, and operations to deliver ongoing and consistent compliance with corporate, customer, and regulatory expectations. The position delivers results through sustainable processes and a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with regulations and policies.

What Do We Expect:

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Develop, lead, and implement enterprise-wide FSQA strategy across farms, facilities, supply chain, suppliers, and co-manufacturers
• Oversee HACCP and Preventive Controls programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory expectations
• Lead corporate food safety initiatives in partnership with executive leadership, establishing clear priorities, objectives, and success metrics
• Continuously evolve programs to meet increasing regulatory and customer expectations across the supply chain

Regulatory Compliance & Industry Leadership

• Serve as the company's subject matter expert in FSQA, ensuring compliance with:
• Food Safety Modernization Act
• Global Food Safety Initiative benchmarked standards (SQF, BRC, etc.)
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
• Maintain compliance with USDA National Organic Program and certifications through CCOF
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies, acting as the senior liaison for all food safety and quality matters
• Position the organization as an industry leader in food safety, quality, and regulatory excellence

• Audit, Certification & Risk Management
• Lead and oversee GFSI third-party audits, certifications, and ongoing compliance efforts
• Ensure audit readiness across all locations and drive timely corrective actions
• Coordinate and execute mock recalls across production, processing, and distribution networks
• Implement and oversee environmental monitoring programs to proactively mitigate risk and ensure product safety

Operational Integration & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Embed food safety and quality standards into all stages of operations, from growing and harvesting to packing and distribution
• Partner closely with Operations, Technical Services, and Supply Chain on:
• Sanitary equipment design
• Process improvements
• Supplier and co-manufacturer compliance
• Represent FSQA across all business functions, improving visibility, communication, and accountability for food safety performance

Continuous Improvement & Performance Management

• Establish and monitor FSQA Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to proactively manage risk and drive continuous improvement
• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities, implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Ensure robust reporting tools, documentation practices, and record-keeping systems are in place

Culture, Training & Capability Building

• Drive a strong food safety culture aligned with core values and purpose
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and support to FSQA teams across farms and facilities
• Ensure consistent application of GMPs, sanitation practices, and food safety procedures
• Influence and engage stakeholders at all levels to reinforce accountability and ownership

Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Provide indirect leadership for hiring, training, development, and performance management of FSQA Managers and Supervisors
• Partner with regional and executive leadership to ensure organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities are clearly defined and aligned
• Effectively influence cross-functional leaders, manage conflict, and drive alignment across the organization

Technical Expertise & Product Knowledge

• Maintain deep technical knowledge of products and varieties across internal operations and external supply chains
• Conduct routine facility inspections, identifying and addressing potential food safety and quality risks
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory standards across all locations

What Are We Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in microbiology, food science, engineering, or related field
• 7 to 10+ years of food safety and quality assurance industry experience
• Strong working knowledge and direct experience in agricultural food production and manufacturing best practices
• Knowledge of current FSQA trends and programs including FSMA, GFSI Food Standards, HACCP, GMPs, GAPs, and audit processes, with Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training required
• Master's degree in business or food safety technical field preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with verbal and written fluency