Associate Director, Food Safety & Vendor Compliance

Leprino Foods Company•Denver, CO

10d•$162,000 - $189,000•Onsite

About The Position

Within our Corporate Quality Assurance team located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a Associate Director, Food Safety & Vendor Compliance to help strengthen our food safety programs, supplier assurance processes, and regulatory compliance across our manufacturing network. We believe producing safe, high-quality dairy products starts with exceptional people, thoughtful collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement! At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $162,000 and $189,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 15%.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific field.
Twelve years of food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, or related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or eight years of related experience with a Master's degree.
Five years of leadership experience within food manufacturing, including people leadership and team development.
Five years of experience supporting food safety, quality assurance, or product development within the dairy manufacturing industry.
Experience interpreting and applying FDA, USDA, and other applicable food safety regulations.
The ability to travel as needed to support manufacturing facilities, suppliers, audits, and regulatory activities.

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
Experience using SAP Specification Management or comparable specification management systems.
Experience supporting cheese manufacturing or cultured dairy products.
Experience leading supplier assurance programs, internal quality audits, or enterprise food safety initiatives.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain food safety policies, programs, and standards that support compliance with FDA, USDA, NCIMS, state, and international food safety requirements.
Provide guidance to manufacturing facilities on food safety regulations, regulatory interpretations, and supplier compliance activities.
Partner with plant leadership to strengthen food safety systems, improve consistency, and address regulatory or operational challenges.
Lead the Food Safety and Vendor Compliance teams by coaching leaders, supporting professional development, and planning department priorities.
Review and approve raw material and packaging specifications through SAP to support product quality and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate supplier assurance activities, internal quality audits, and policy updates to strengthen food safety programs across the organization.
Build collaborative relationships with regulatory agencies and industry organizations while supporting inspections, approvals, and evolving regulatory expectations.
Identify emerging food safety risks, evaluate potential business impacts, and communicate recommendations to internal leadership.
Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts that reduce recurring food safety concerns and strengthen preventive programs.
Support food safety training initiatives that build knowledge, encourage consistent practices, and help teams succeed.
Partner with cross-functional teams to support new processes, equipment, and product initiatives while maintaining regulatory compliance.