Director of Food Safety and QA (Chicago)

The Director Food Safety and QA will provide both strategic direction and hands‑on leadership for the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) department at South Chicago Packing. This position is responsible for analyzing, updating, managing, and continuously improving quality, food safety, and analytical programs across the business. Key responsibilities include leading the hiring, development, and performance management of the FSQA team, as well as managing the department’s budget and expenditures. The role will work closely with cross‑functional teams to identify and implement quality improvements across products and processes. Additionally, this position will serve as the primary liaison for external quality counterparts at customer and supplier organizations and regulatory agencies, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and issue resolution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the site food safety leader.
• Provide direction and technical leadership in the development and implementation of quality systems to ensure compliance with corporate policies, GFSI standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Identify opportunities and lead initiatives to improve quality programs, systems, and processes.
• Coach, mentor, and support team members to develop a high‑performing, technically skilled FSQA team.
• Oversee compliance of offsite warehouses to specifications and requirements; conduct audits and assessments as needed.
• Provide subject matter expertise on sanitation practices to drive effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Ensure regulatory compliance through routine interaction with USDA inspectors and issue resolution.
• Direct in‑process quality control activities, including testing of raw materials and finished goods.
• Monitor, track, and report FSQA performance through established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics.
• Provide functional QA leadership for facility initiatives and capital projects.
• Lead investigation and resolution of customer complaints, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
• Manage internal and external audits, ensuring compliance and timely closure of findings.
• Verify compliance with HACCP and food safety programs, including oversight of prerequisite programs.
• Review and make final disposition decisions on retained product and materials, ensuring procedures and documentation are properly executed.
• Monitor adherence to SOPs, manufacturing operating procedures, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Deliver training and development programs to ensure QA personnel meet technical and compliance standards.
• Participate in internal product evaluation panels and support continuous improvement through product reviews.
• Support broader employee training initiatives related to food safety and quality system topics.
• Establish and manage departmental costs and expenditures in line with budgetary expectations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of company and department goals.
• Provide direct oversight and leadership to the South Chicago Packing FSQA team.
• Lead staffing, onboarding, and talent development efforts within the department.
• Set clear expectations and performance standards while ensuring alignment with company policies and objectives.
• Actively participate in the Performance Management Process, including goal setting and development planning for team members.
• Represent the FSQA function in director‑level meetings and contribute to strategic decision‑making.
• Lead or support cross‑functional and cross‑departmental teams focused on process improvement and quality initiatives.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to junior QA professionals, supporting their technical and professional growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field.
• 7‑10 years of progressive experience in quality assurance and food processing, including prior management experience.
• In‑depth knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations, GFSI standards, and industry best practices.
• HACCP and PCQI certification required.
• Proficiency in computer applications and software tools relevant to quality assurance and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information effectively.
• Proven decision‑making ability, with a track record of making independent, sound judgments in challenging situations.
• Leading Change: Acting in a leadership position to envision the future of the organization and work towards achieving the desired future by setting goals, taking action, and effectively communicating with stakeholders. Holding self and others accountable for achieving the envisioned results despite challenge and adversity.
• Strategic Thinking: Understand what the organization’s preferred future will be and put strategies into place to realize the organization’s vision. Look at issues and opportunities from a broad organizational perspective.
• Building Common Purpose: Works with colleagues and suppliers to achieve common goals by involving stakeholders to define problems or opportunities, identifying common issues and opportunities and creating win/win relationships. Makes sure the team or group goals align with those of the organization.
• Results Oriented: Takes a dynamic approach to work characterized by initiating decisions and actions. Concentrating on achieving the outcomes of a process or project while adhering to the overall strategy of the organization. Creating a culture of accountability and performance. Able to withstand walking and standing.
• Analytical Thinking: Uses information from a qualitative and quantitative analyses to solve problems and make decisions. Able to see interconnections between organizational systems that others miss.

Benefits for this role include: Medical, vision, dental, discretionary bonus up to 30% (50% personal performance based & 50% company performance), profit sharing (which feeds retirement) at a minimum of 3% annually and 200 hours PTO in the 1st 12 months.