Senior Manager FSQA

Purpose: The most important value at UNFI is “Do the Right Thing – Put Safety and Integrity at the Forefront of Everything We Do.” The Area Sr. Manager Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) position is a part of the leadership team that helps the organization deliver on this critical value – day in and day out. The role is fast-paced and complex and has responsibility across a geographic area for creating a world class food safety culture in which UNFI associates are proactive and interdependent when it comes to food safety. This role is responsible for developing a high performing team of FSQA leaders to ensure the execution of the company’s Food safety strategy and goals. The Area Sr. Manager will serve as a key advisor on FSQA matters to area DC stakeholders including but not limited to operations, human resources, merchandising and security/loss prevention leaders.Responsibilities include integrating food safety and sanitation programs across our enterprise to promote end-to-end confidence in food safety for our customers. Interacts with operations to ensure policies, procedures, audits, and training programs are understood and followed. This includes comprehensive support of any and all regulatory certifications. As a Area Sr. Manager, these roles will supervise, support, and develop FSQA site mangers/partners.Job Responsibilities: Be a champion of promoting, communicating, and enforcing our food safety programs to ensure that all associates, visitors, and vendors understand the Company’s commitment to providing safe foodAnalyze, develop and communicate annual safety targets. Coordinate with analytics team to ensure monthly FSQA metrics are accurateBuild a high performing area team of FSQA Managers and Leaders to ensure the execution of UNFI’s FSQA vision and strategy at the regional level. Assist with hiring of site FSQA professionals. Participate in annual talent calibrationsBe a key advisor to the DC Leadership team so they understand weaknesses, deficiencies, and challenges within our food safety culture and collaborate with leadership to address these issuesBe and stay current with all State, Federal, and local regulatory agencies to ensure compliance regarding local DC operationsLead Area Distribution Centers food safety and sanitation efforts working with regional and DC Leadership to maintain compliance with Federal, State and local regulation as well as adhere to SQF standardsProvides leadership support to multiple FSQA Specialists/Managers and their assigned DCsCoaches and develops DC Food Safety & QA staffProvides direction to local Food Safety teams to ensure food safety and quality by providing accurate and up to date food safety policies and proceduresServe as an escalation point of contact of critical Food Safety issues for the DCs the role has oversight ofDirects activities in maintaining and executing effective food safety, food defense, and recall plans, policies, and processes in Distribution Center operationsConducts food safety assessments at internal DC locations, 3rd party locations, and if needed supplier sitesEnsures FSQA team collaboration with operations partners to ensure compliance during facility changes and/or new site developmentsEnsure all corrective actions are completed timely and effectivelyEnsure investigations of product quality and compliance issues (i.e. tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.) are effectively completedAssist with media relations in developing relevant, clear communicationsAssist with customer call center operations related to customer food safety and quality assurance complaintsMaintain active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodiesConsistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, and nurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone’s top priorityCommunicate consistently, concisely, and clearly with Regional, Merchandise, and Brands Plus leadership as to important issues, updates, changes, and initiativesSupervise Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialists and provide direction, feedback, and professional developmentProvides support to Regional Directors to roll-out updated standards/trainingsPerform other job duties as requiredJob Requirements: Education:Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Public Health or related field requiredHACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications requiredExperience:7+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing, food wholesale, and/or food distribution programs3+ years of prior experience leading a team of FSQA professionalsExperience with interpreting state and federal regulations, and maintaining working relationships with industry and regulatory officialsExperience actively working with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to strategically solve problems, manage projects, drive performance while maintaining long-term strategiesExcellent ability to develop and present business plans and strategies to influence company decision makersAbility to coordinate planning and collaboration with other business functions in a way that is mutually beneficial and drives continuous improvementAbility to analyze and independently resolve a variety of difficult situations and problems using timely decision makingKnowledge:Familiarity with Food Safety Modernization Act and Seafood HACCP requirementsFamiliarity with GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) schemesWorking knowledge of Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA) is beneficialSkills/ Abilities:Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact and influence effectively with all levels of management, employees, and customers and experience collaborating with unionsAbility to balance multiple priorities and ensure significant issues are communicated clearly to relevant stakeholders in timely mannerExceptional presentation and training skillsProven ability to influence without authorityExceptional ability to deal with conflict in all levels and areas of the organizationAbility to work well with others to accomplish resultsProficient with Microsoft Word, Power point and ExcelAdapts well to and initiates change in the organizationJob Ref:178906Location:Prescott, WI 54021Location Flexibility:RemoteCategory:EHS & FSQAJob Type:Full-timeJob Status:ExemptAnticipated Closing Date:Oct. 12, 2026Pay BasisYearlyPay Range$107700.00 - $195500.00 Annually ($51.78 - $93.99 Hourly)Other CompensationBonus EligibleBrandUNFI