Job Description

Job Title: Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA)

Reports To: VP of Technical Services

Position Summary

The Director of FSQA leads food safety, quality, and compliance initiatives across multiple facilities. This role develops and implements strategic programs, fosters a strong food safety culture, ensures regulatory compliance (USDA and customer standards), and provides leadership to the FSQA team.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of industry experience (3+ years in a supervisory role required)
• USDA product experience required; lab experience preferred
• Certifications preferred: HACCP, GFSI, PCQI
• Bilingual ability preferred

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication across all organizational levels
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Proficiency in quality data systems and compliance platforms
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations and statistical quality control

Computer & Math Skills:

• Intermediate computer proficiency
• Ability to analyze data, perform calculations, and interpret graphs/statistics

Language:

• Fluent in the language of the primary cultural group
• Ability to interpret technical documents and write business correspondence

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all FSQA, sanitation, animal welfare, and lab activities
• Develop, implement, and manage food safety and quality programs
• Promote food safety culture across departments and facilities
• Respond to USDA, customer, and external compliance concerns
• Guide the FSQA team in achieving operational excellence
• Handle customer complaints and follow-up protocols
• Conduct internal audits and ensure regulatory compliance
• Provide FSQA responses for external communication
• Support continuous improvement initiatives
• Conduct and report on meat quality testing
• Travel up to 25%
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Duties

• Hire, train, and mentor FSQA staff
• Manage schedules and workloads
• Lead succession planning and identify emerging leaders
• Ensure team compliance with all regulations and policies

Physical & Work Environment

• Requires regular sitting, standing, bending, typing, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Work may involve exposure to varying temperatures, humidity, and airborne particles
• Moderate noise and frequent interruptions expected

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