Director of Quality

Yerba Madre•Oakland, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Quality is a strategic, enterprise‑level leader responsible for defining, scaling, and protecting Yerba Madre’s food safety and quality programs across our global network of co‑manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and warehouses. This role owns company‑wide quality systems, regulatory compliance, and food safety risk management, ensuring our products consistently meet the highest standards while supporting business growth, innovation, and brand integrity. As Yerba Madre continues to scale, the Director of Quality serves as the organization’s subject‑matter expert on food safety regulations, quality assurance best practices, and certification requirements. This leader partners cross‑functionally with Contract Manufacturing, Sourcing, Innovation, Planning, Marketing, Legal, and Executive Leadership to proactively manage risk, embed quality into decision‑making, and support the long-term success of a mission‑driven beverage brand rooted in responsible sourcing and sustainability. PLEASE NOTE The position is based in Yerba Madre’s Vibrant Oakland, CA office, min 3 days a week How You'll Help: Quality & Food Safety Strategy Own and continuously improve Yerba Madre’s enterprise food safety and quality management systems across all internal and external partners, from ingredient sourcing through finished goods stored at warehouses. Serve as the company’s designated “quality person responsible” for all food safety, regulatory, and compliance matters. Anticipate quality and food safety risks and implement preventive, risk based programs aligned with business growth. Ensure recall readiness, crisis response protocols, and regulatory engagement are well defined, tested, and effective. Supplier, Co-Manufacturer & Warehouse Oversight Lead supplier, co-manufacturer, and warehouse audit programs, including audit strategy, review of findings, and verification of corrective and preventive actions. Oversee qualification of new suppliers, co-manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and equipment installations. Ensure systemic issues are identified and resolved through root cause analysis and sustainable corrective action. Partner closely with South American yerba mate producers to uphold product quality, sustainability standards, and ethical sourcing commitments. Cross Functional Partnership & Influence Act as the primary liaison between Quality and internal stakeholders including Supply Chain, Innovation, Operations, Marketing, Legal, and Finance. Translate complex technical and regulatory information into clear, business‑relevant insights for executive leadership. Partner with Innovation to establish food safety and quality requirements for new product development, process changes, and scale‑up activities. Continuous Improvement & Metrics Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to food safety, supplier and warehouse performance, audits, complaints, and cost of quality. Drive measurable improvements in quality performance, defect reduction, compliance outcomes, and operational efficiency. Utilize data analysis, SPC, and quality management tools to inform priorities and continuous improvement efforts. Leadership & Team Development Build, develop, and lead a high‑performing Quality team through effective hiring, coaching, and performance management. Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement across the Quality function and extended supply network. Ensure the Quality organization scales effectively alongside the business. Industry & External Engagement Represent Yerba Madre with regulatory agencies, certifying bodies, and external partners as required. Stay current on evolving FDA, FSMA, GFSI, organic, regenerative organic, and industry standards. Attend industry conferences, trainings, and forums to bring best practices and emerging insights back to the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related technical field.
8+ years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing, preferably ready-to-drink, canned, or bottled products.
5+ years of experience leading quality teams in complex, multisite or co-manufacturing environments.
Deep knowledge of FDA, FSMA, cGMPs, HACCP, supplier compliance, and food safety regulation.
PCQI certification (required).
Proven experience driving measurable quality improvements, including defect reduction, audit performance, or cost-of-quality improvements.
Strong business acumen with the ability to connect quality decisions to financial, operational, and brand outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading the quality function at the Director or Senior Manager level.
Bilingual in English and Spanish or Portuguese.
Beverage, natural/organic food & beverage, or functional beverage industry experience.
Experience with co‑packer and contract manufacturing models.
Familiarity with regenerative organic, Fair Trade, or sustainability certifications.
Lead Auditor certification (SQF, BRC, or equivalent).
Experience with supplier scorecarding, QMS platforms (e.g., TraceGains or similar), and statistical process control.

Responsibilities

Own and continuously improve Yerba Madre’s enterprise food safety and quality management systems across all internal and external partners, from ingredient sourcing through finished goods stored at warehouses.
Serve as the company’s designated “quality person responsible” for all food safety, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Anticipate quality and food safety risks and implement preventive, risk based programs aligned with business growth.
Ensure recall readiness, crisis response protocols, and regulatory engagement are well defined, tested, and effective.
Lead supplier, co-manufacturer, and warehouse audit programs, including audit strategy, review of findings, and verification of corrective and preventive actions.
Oversee qualification of new suppliers, co-manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and equipment installations.
Ensure systemic issues are identified and resolved through root cause analysis and sustainable corrective action.
Partner closely with South American yerba mate producers to uphold product quality, sustainability standards, and ethical sourcing commitments.
Act as the primary liaison between Quality and internal stakeholders including Supply Chain, Innovation, Operations, Marketing, Legal, and Finance.
Translate complex technical and regulatory information into clear, business‑relevant insights for executive leadership.
Partner with Innovation to establish food safety and quality requirements for new product development, process changes, and scale‑up activities.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to food safety, supplier and warehouse performance, audits, complaints, and cost of quality.
Drive measurable improvements in quality performance, defect reduction, compliance outcomes, and operational efficiency.
Utilize data analysis, SPC, and quality management tools to inform priorities and continuous improvement efforts.
Build, develop, and lead a high‑performing Quality team through effective hiring, coaching, and performance management.
Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement across the Quality function and extended supply network.
Ensure the Quality organization scales effectively alongside the business.
Represent Yerba Madre with regulatory agencies, certifying bodies, and external partners as required.
Stay current on evolving FDA, FSMA, GFSI, organic, regenerative organic, and industry standards.
Attend industry conferences, trainings, and forums to bring best practices and emerging insights back to the organization.