Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance – FreshPoint Produce

Sysco

13d•$112,100 - $168,100

About The Position

Develops and directs Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) support and evaluation programs, inspection and audit procedures, and compliance efforts for a FreshPoint specialty produce company operating multiple shifts or facilities within a region. Works with FreshPoint personnel to develop, improve, and support new and existing product quality and FSQA processes, including supplier and customer interactions on FSQA matters. Manages FSQA execution related to supplier approval, product sourcing, manufactured produce products, plant sanitation, regulatory interactions and inspections, third-party audits, and training and mentoring FSQA staff and operational colleagues. The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a bachelor’s degree in Food Science or Biological Science. A master’s degree or higher is preferred. Candidates must have 5–10 years of produce and/or food manufacturing experience, including FSQA management experience in an FDA- and/or CFIA-style processing plant as appropriate, with a valid degree. Three to five years of FSQA management experience is required; additional R&D or production-operations experience in produce processing is ideal. Required credentials include a valid driver’s license, SQF Practitioner or equivalent GFSI scheme experience, and HACCP certification as appropriate. The position involves frequent use of hands and occasional standing, walking, sitting, reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, tasting, and smelling. It may require lifting or moving up to 100 pounds. Plant audits and inspections involve working on a moving production line, lifting cartons, and visually inspecting products. The role frequently encounters fumes or airborne particles and may occasionally involve mechanical parts, high or precarious places, wet or humid conditions, extreme cold, and radiation risk. Audits at plants and remote processing facilities may include moderate or loud noise and mechanical hazards. Travel is up to 25%.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or Biological Science from a four-year college or university.
5–10 years of produce and/or food manufacturing experience, as appropriate.
FSQA management experience in an FDA- and/or CFIA-style processing plant, as appropriate, with a valid degree.
Three to five years of FSQA management experience.
Valid driver’s license.
SQF Practitioner credential or equivalent GFSI scheme experience.
Produce and/or food manufacturing HACCP certification, as appropriate.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals, and to present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the public.
Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; compute rates, ratios, and percentages; and draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret varied technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to use a personal computer and lab equipment.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 100 pounds and visual inspection work in production environments.
Corrected vision is required for sensory analysis to identify color and clarity.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher.
Additional research and development or production-operations experience in a produce processing environment; combined experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, direct, update, reassess, verify, and periodically validate FSQA programs, including HACCP, sanitation standard operating procedures, pest control, good manufacturing practices, approved supplier programs, foreign material control, plant sanitation, chemical control, product quality assurance, customer complaints, and food defense and security.
Direct employee training on FSQA programs, policies, and procedures.
Direct recall and traceability programs, including mock recalls.
Direct the independent FSQA audit program, including SQF audits.
Assist with product evaluations, plant visits, and supplier and customer communications when necessary to support other staff members.
Assist as needed during emergencies with matters the plant President or General Manager determines are paramount to the business.
Manage FSQA execution for source supplier approval, product sourcing, manufactured produce products, plant sanitation, regulatory interactions and inspections, third-party audits, and training and mentoring FSQA staff and operational colleagues.