Sr. Director, Food Safety & Quality

Our client in the consumer food manufacturing space is seeking a Senior Director of Food Safety & Quality to lead and further develop its food safety, quality, and regulatory programs. This individual will provide both strategic leadership and hands-on operational support, partnering closely with plant operations and senior leadership to ensure food safety and quality systems are effectively designed, implemented, and executed. The role will initially maintain a close connection to day-to-day plant activities while building systems and processes that can scale across an expanding manufacturing footprint. Responsibilities Lead the organization’s overall Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory strategy, ensuring programs support both operational execution and long-term business objectives. Provide leadership and oversight for plant-level food safety and quality programs, standards, procedures, and systems. Partner closely with plant leadership and frontline teams to ensure food safety expectations are effectively translated into daily operating practices. Develop, maintain, and continuously improve food safety and quality systems across manufacturing operations. Ensure compliance with applicable FDA, USDA, state, local, customer, and other regulatory requirements, as applicable. Oversee regulatory and compliance-related documentation, recordkeeping, specifications, and reporting. Provide leadership around product labeling, packaging claims, ingredient declarations, specifications, and regulatory compliance. Lead and support internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits, including preparation, corrective actions, and ongoing audit readiness. Develop and oversee supplier quality and food safety programs, including supplier qualification, auditing, performance management, and corrective action processes. Establish consistent standards, policies, metrics, and best practices that can scale across multiple manufacturing locations. Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on food safety, quality, regulatory risk, and emerging industry requirements. Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Procurement, Commercial, and other teams to support new products, suppliers, processes, and business initiatives. Lead root cause analysis, CAPA, continuous improvement, and preventative initiatives related to food safety and product quality. Build organizational capabilities through training, coaching, talent development, and clear accountability for food safety and quality performance. Support future acquisitions, new facilities, brands, or manufacturing capabilities by integrating and standardizing food safety and quality programs. Desired Skills And Experience Significant progressive leadership experience within food manufacturing Food Safety, Quality, and/or Regulatory functions. Demonstrated experience leading food safety and quality programs within a manufacturing plant environment. Experience operating at a senior leadership level while remaining comfortable working directly with plant teams and addressing operational issues. Strong knowledge of food safety systems, regulatory compliance, quality management systems, and industry best practices. Experience with areas such as: HACCP / HARPC and preventive controls, GMPs and sanitation programs, FDA and/or USDA regulatory requirements, GFSI-recognized food safety standards, Supplier quality and auditing, Product labeling and claims, Specifications and regulatory documentation, Corrective and preventive action programs Experience supporting or leading food safety and quality across multiple manufacturing locations is preferred. Demonstrated ability to build scalable systems and processes within a growing or evolving organization. Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to influence plant leadership, executive teams, and external partners. Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr SkyWater Search Partners