The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Director provides strategic leadership for food safety and quality programs across multiple international manufacturing sites and global co-manufacturing partners producing ready-to-eat meat snacks. This role supports operations throughout Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand/Australia.
The FSQ Director establishes food safety and quality expectations for both FSQ teams and cross-functional partners, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and industry best practices. This position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and continuous improvement of quality systems that support corporate FSQ objectives while delivering an awesome consumer experience.
Key Skills for This Role
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JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Director provides strategic leadership for food safety and quality programs across multiple international manufacturing sites and global co-manufacturing partners producing ready-to-eat meat snacks. This role supports operations throughout Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand/Australia.
The FSQ Director establishes food safety and quality expectations for both FSQ teams and cross-functional partners, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and industry best practices. This position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and continuous improvement of quality systems that support corporate FSQ objectives while delivering an awesome consumer experience.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead Food Safety and Quality programs across multiple international manufacturing facilities and global co-manufacturing partners Guide and hold facilities accountable to Link Snacks standards and local, regional, and international standards for executing HACCP, Food Safety Plans, SSOPs, prerequisite programs, and related food safety systems Leverage scientific supporting documentation, validation results, and technical support to ensure sound decisions in food manufacturing Provide leadership and accountability to facility FSQ teams through routine performance reviews, KPI monitoring, and operational assessments
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Guide and hold facilities accountable to Link Snacks standards and local, regional, and international standards for executing HACCP, Food Safety Plans, SSOPs, prerequisite programs, and related food safety systems
Leverage scientific supporting documentation, validation results, and technical support to ensure sound decisions in food manufacturing
Provide leadership and accountability to facility FSQ teams through routine performance reviews, KPI monitoring, and operational assessments
Review microbiological, chemical, sensory, environmental, and in-process testing programs to ensure product safety and quality Review product quality metrics, determine product disposition, and ensure timely product release Ensures Listeria environmental monitoring and control program execution including corrective actions, record keeping, and reporting Develop, monitor, and maintain ingredient control, process control, and preventive control systems Develop and maintain GFSI global standards program and lead facilities through certification and ongoing maintenance of program Challenge Food Safety Systems through mock recalls to verify traceability effectiveness and accuracy of data gathering and record keeping functions Serve as the technical resource for manufacturing facilities during process changes, product launches, and troubleshooting activities
Review microbiological, chemical, sensory, environmental, and in-process testing programs to ensure product safety and quality
Ensures Listeria environmental monitoring and control program execution including corrective actions, record keeping, and reporting
Develop, monitor, and maintain ingredient control, process control, and preventive control systems
Develop and maintain GFSI global standards program and lead facilities through certification and ongoing maintenance of program
Challenge Food Safety Systems through mock recalls to verify traceability effectiveness and accuracy of data gathering and record keeping functions
Serve as the technical resource for manufacturing facilities during process changes, product launches, and troubleshooting activities
Support manufacturing site regulatory compliance Function as the liaison between operations and regulators Monitor global regulatory changes and responds accordingly
Function as the liaison between operations and regulators
Monitor global regulatory changes and responds accordingly
Manages non-conforming product or process issues Manage non-conforming products, quality incidents, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs Oversee incoming material inspection programs and supplier corrective action processes Lead consumer complaint investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and documentation Holds plants, suppliers, operations, accountable when deviations from expectations with attention to detail and urgency
Manage non-conforming products, quality incidents, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs
Oversee incoming material inspection programs and supplier corrective action processes
Lead consumer complaint investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and documentation
Holds plants, suppliers, operations, accountable when deviations from expectations with attention to detail and urgency
Training and development Actively support the onboarding of Operations and FSQ team members creating a strong foundational understanding of GMP’s and SSOP’s leading toward a commitment to a reliable Food Safety Culture Identifies, hires and develops FSQ team members to deliver the highest product quality standards through rigorous monitoring of the process and products Works with relevant academic institutions to develop internship and career opportunities Enforce all safety rules and company policies; provide appropriate interpretation of company policies and safety policies for team members
Actively support the onboarding of Operations and FSQ team members creating a strong foundational understanding of GMP’s and SSOP’s leading toward a commitment to a reliable Food Safety Culture
Identifies, hires and develops FSQ team members to deliver the highest product quality standards through rigorous monitoring of the process and products
Works with relevant academic institutions to develop internship and career opportunities
Enforce all safety rules and company policies; provide appropriate interpretation of company policies and safety policies for team members
Participate in the Corporate FSQ Leadership team including development of corporate expectations and long term FSQ strategic planning
This position will require a large amount of travel and much of it international
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Must have the ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Earplugs and/or hearing protection, Hairnet, Beard-net, Protective eyewear, and slip resistant footwear.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. At times, incumbent may need to enter production environment where there could be exposure to moderate cold, manufacturing equipment movement, loud noise levels, strong odors (spices, jerky, sauces, etc.) and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree and 15 or more years of Quality Assurance experience in the food industry and successful supervisory experience managing multiple manufacturing sites
Strong preference for previous international and comanufacturing experience
Must have strong leadership and coaching skills, the ability to build relationships cross functionally and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Solid grounding in USDA FSIS regulations.
Proven understanding of food safety and quality in a manufacturing environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and employees.
Demonstrated professionalism, effective leadership, problem solving, presentation, prioritization, attention to detail, and Team Member motivational skills
Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Knowledge of cost accounting.
Experience with electronic documentation and recordkeeping a plus.
The salary range for this role is $135,000- $175,000 ( Annually ). Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Link Snacks Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Link Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.
Disclaimer
This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees performing this role.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Link Snacks provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.
E-VERIFY: Link Snacks is a participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For information about the E-Verify program, please visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
