Regional Food Safety Manager - Americas

Regional Food Safety Manager Americas At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and aim to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. Barry Callebaut is headquartered in Zurich and employs more than 12,000 people worldwide. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive regional food safety strategy that aligns with product needs, corporate objectives and regulatory requirements. Provide visionary leadership to continuously improve food safety systems, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and emerging trends. FSMS Program Development and Implementation Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of aligned food safety programs, including HACCP, EMP programs, foreign material management, microbiology, allergen and toxicology compliance; tailored to regional needs. Standardize processes and procedures across facilities to achieve consistent food safety performance. Ensure on‑going risk assessments to identify potential and emerging food safety hazards and implement preventive controls. Conduct risk assessment on any new project or initiative launched cross‑functionally. Monitor and respond to emerging food safety risks, including regulatory changes and industry developments, to ensure proactive compliance. Conduct site gap assessments on HACCP, EMP management and provide technical support to sites in arriving at mitigation/management strategies. Ensure gaps from audits and observations are correctly identified, root cause investigations are done, corrections and corrective actions identified with appropriate owners and deadlines, and systematic follow‑up and escalation occur to ensure closure and compliance. Global FS Standards such as Non‑Negotiable Standards and Other Food Safety Performance Improvement Projects Contribute to the building of global food safety standards. Act as the regional expert on interpretation of the NNS Standards. Organise regular training sessions to address gaps, support site gap analysis, share best practices and validate action plans. Identify, plan and execute strategic food safety improvement projects such as Allergen Management that address critical gaps or inefficiencies in existing systems. Food Safety CAPEX Program Governance Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to implement Food safety CAPEX projects. Maintain a tracker of all FS CAPEX needs across sites and prioritise those based on risk assessment. Work with the Global FS CAPEX team to support allocation of funds to the projects. Support in identification and validation of new technologies to enable better food safety compliance. Work with local and global teams to identify risks and prioritise CAPEX deployment accordingly. EMP Program Management Provide guidance on the EMP program deployment to site teams, including sampling methods, number of samples, dealing with out of specs and inputs for ongoing review. Ensure consistency of EMP program across sites in alignment with global standards. Oversee the weekly & monthly EMP review, decisions, escalations and reporting. Ensure thorough RCA for EMP non‑compliances and that preventive actions are in place and closed within agreed timelines. Inform and escalat​e issues and actions in a timely fashion to garner support and resources enabling gap closure. Pest Management Program Ensure that all plants and warehouses have a documented pest control program, including reporting & trending. Ensure learning and sharing between the site teams to generate faster solutions and prevention of problems. Develop resident expertise in site through internal and external trainings. Support in identifying and selecting appropriate external pest‑management providers for sites. Training and Culture Lead initiatives to strengthen food safety awareness and accountability at all organizational levels through the Quality Culture umbrella or otherwise. Develop and deliver training programs to equip teams with the knowledge and skills required for effective food safety management. Stakeholder Collaboration Serve as the primary point of contact for regional food safety matters, collaborating with regulatory authorities, customers and internal stakeholders. Partner with Operations, Engineering and Procurement teams to integrate food safety considerations into product development and supply chain management. Engage with external entities and attend food safety forums to represent BC and learn what is new. Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement Measure food safety performance and drive continuous improvement. Conduct internal audits and inspections (i.e. HACCP & EMP review) to evaluate compliance and identify opportunities for enhancement. Ensure timely reporting of incidents and gaps from various audits in monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Crisis Management Develop and maintain crisis management protocols, including recall plans and incident investigation processes. Lead response efforts during food safety incidents, ensuring swift and effective resolution. Evaluate efficiency of corrective and preventive measures to prevent recurrence. Talent Development Mentor and develop food safety professionals within the region to build a pipeline of future leaders. Create and implement development programs to enhance technical expertise, leadership skills and cross‑functional collaboration. Foster a culture of continuous learning. Identify high‑potential employees and provide opportunities for advancement through stretch assignments and project leadership roles. About You Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in food safety management, with at least 3 years in a regional or multi‑site leadership role. In‑depth knowledge of global food safety standards, regulatory frameworks, and certification schemes (e.g., FSSC 22000, BRC, FSMA). Proven ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams in a matrixed organization. Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities. Travel regionally & internationally as required; up to 30 % of time devoted to travel. What You Can Expect from Barry Callebaut Salary Range of $130,000 – $150,000, depending on experience and location, plus annual bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. Paid time off, paid holidays and flex days. An environment that welcomes workplace flexibility. An atmosphere where diversity is embraced and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women’s Forum and the Racial Equality Forum. Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and internal career growth. Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities centred around prospering farmers, zero child labour, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100 % sustainable ingredients in all of our products. At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC – Diverse People, Sustainable Growth. #J-18808-Ljbffr Barry Callebaut Manufacturing Iberica SA.