Director of Food Safety and Quality

Cascade Coffee • Everett, WA

11d • $120,000 - $150,000

About The Position

What does it take to create 1.7 BILLION cups of coffee a year? Ask Cascade Coffee ! For more than 45 years Cascade Coffee has been the premier specialty coffee contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in roasting, grinding, flavoring, and packaging coffee, catering to the world’s finest coffee brands worldwide. Cascade works behind the scenes to provide innovation, world-class coffee roasting, and a wide variety of packaging options to highlight their loyal customer’s brands. Founded in 1977, the company operates from a 175,000 square foot manufacturing and roasting facility, more than 2 million pounds of green coffee storage facility, over 50 million pounds annually of coffee roasting capacity as well as multiple roasting lines, flavor mixing systems and 14 automated packaging lines. Reporting to the VP of Food Safety and Quality, the Director of Food Safety and Quality will own accountability for: Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance SQF, HACCP, GMP, and audit readiness QA Lab & Quality Systems Sanitation & Validation Programs Customer Quality Relationships Continuous Improvement in Quality Performance The Director will lead the QA/QC team, elevate quality standards across all shifts, and build scalable systems to support 50%+ capacity growth and future expansion. Lead, coach, and develop the QA/QC organization Build a culture of fact-based decision making and accountability Serve as a visible, credible leader on the manufacturing floor Foster strong relationships with customer quality teams Champion continuous improvement and employee engagement

Requirements

• 10–15+ years in food manufacturing quality leadership
• 5+ years leading QA/QC teams in a complex manufacturing environment
• Experience in medium-to-large-scale food operations ($75M+ revenue preferred)
• Demonstrated success with SQF, HACCP, GMP, and FDA compliance
• Strong background in audit management and regulatory engagement
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies
• Bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field (master’s preferred)
• Strategic thinker with strong operational instincts
• Proactive, action-oriented problem solver
• High integrity and accountability
• Equally comfortable on the plant floor and in executive discussions
• Skilled at change management in growth-oriented environments
• Authentic communicator who builds trust across functions
• Data-driven and fact-based in decision making
• Excellent oral and written communications skills are required.
• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills needed to plan and implement assignments and to work through consistent interruptions.
• Possess a strategic mindset but hands-on attitude with the ability to address complex problems and propose viable solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in medium-to-large-scale food operations ($75M+ revenue preferred)
• Bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field (master’s preferred)

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve the Quality Management System
• Ensure compliance with SQF, FDA, NSF, ABI, and regulatory requirements
• Oversee sanitation validation and environmental monitoring programs
• Maintain audit readiness and lead regulatory/customer audits
• Strengthen documentation, traceability, and corrective action systems
• Partner with Manufacturing to improve first-pass quality, waste reduction, labor efficiency, and process stability
• Implement data-driven quality metrics and dashboards
• Support Lean, 5S, and Six Sigma initiatives
• Drive root-cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions
• Develop deep partnerships with customer quality teams
• Support new product commercialization and onboarding
• Participate in customer meetings and selling processes as needed
• Ensure alignment between customer specifications and plant execution
• Support facility expansion and capacity increases
• Ensure quality systems scale with new equipment and future site development
• Provide input into capital projects impacting food safety or compliance
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits | Multiple coverage levels of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401k Roth or Pre-Tax options | $1 for $1 match and once eligible to enroll, ZERO vesting period.
• Long Term Disability and life insurance | Company provides coverage for all employees.
• Voluntary Life, Disability, Accident & Critical Illness | Various insurance programs are offered to support your needs.
• Employee Assistance Program | To support you and your family’s overall wellbeing to achieve your best and most productive self.
• Sick and Vacation plans | Cascade understands the vital importance of a quality work/life balance.
• Pet insurance | Multiple coverage levels for whatever best suits your furry (or not so furry) friend.
• Cascade Cares | Exciting engagement programs each month
• Leadership Training | We invest in and dedicate time to training some of the best leaders in the industry.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director