The Director of Quality and Food Safety has ultimate responsibility for assuring the food safety,
regulatory compliance and consumer satisfaction of Kite Hill products both manufactured in-house and at contract manufacturers. The Director of Quality and Food Safety is responsible for providing strategic and tactical guidance to the Leadership Team, reporting to the SVP of Operations. This role has key cross
Responsibilities
Quality: Works collaboratively with R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain to ensure all products manufactured have the optimal processing conditions, ingredients, and all other facets of the product platform to survive shelf life in a high-quality manner without defects. Establishes and monitors Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Quality and establishes preventive and corrective actions for metrics not meeting goals. Provides Positive Release decisions to the Leadership Team for products not meeting specifications.
Food Safety: Assures that Food Safety plans are properly designed regarding food safety risks, including preliminary assessment of new product concepts and prototypes. Assures that execution of the food safety plans is properly monitored, documented and that exceptions are managed properly. Implement and oversee maintenance of HACCP programs. Ensures products and processes are validated for food safety and quality requirements, including shelf life and HACCP critical control points. Ensures facilities, including processing and product protection equipment requirements are sufficient to achieve and maintain quality and food safety requirements.
SQF: Leads the cross functional steering team responsible for maintaining SQF Food Safety and Quality Certification at Kite Hill owned facilities.
Supplier management: Leads approval and verification programs for suppliers. Run risk assessments, design and implement audits and internal inspection programs.
Regulatory Compliance: Assures compliance with regulations related to Kite Hill products including legal labeling, manufacturing, weight control. Uses outside regulatory, legal and other resources as needed and appropriate to achieve this requirement. Assures that new products are designed to comply with regulations.
Customer Technical Support: Leads and supports certification and verification programs required by Customers or identified as necessary for marketing. Assures accurate information and processes with customers for product sales and distribution.
Consumer Preference: Lead Consumer Support and work with Sales & Marketing to understand complaints and other consumer metrics. Assures that product design, manufacture and performance meet intended consumer needs.
Contract Manufacturing Management: Manages qualification, verification, and ongoing performance of Contract Manufacturing locations to meet Kite Hill standards and needs. Collaborates with other functions for holistic management of Contract Manufacturing relationship and performance.
Leadership: Assures that the documented quality system is effective, achieving the above objectives. Creates and or approves relevant policies, procedures, and approaches.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree is required; Technical degree in Food Microbiology, Food Science or other related science field; graduate degree preferred; PCQI completion required
Experience in ready to eat (RTE), perishable/refrigerated products is strongly preferred. Plant based, alternatively dairy would be a big plus and/or dairy is also a plus.
Brings at least 10 years of experience in food manufacturing quality roles.
Has built expertise in Quality and Food Safety and has had a successful career path in setting up leading/innovative Quality Systems.
Expertise setting up and maintaining specification systems for raw materials (food and packaging) and finished products.
Technical depth in quality, food safety, food chemistry, food microbiology, statistical process control, HACCP, allergen management and GMP.
Hands on experience in food safety and quality in manufacturing settings.
Working knowledge of food science, regulatory, quality, statistical and related disciplines
Works effectively in a matrix organization to drive quality initiatives, balanced with owning and driving plant specific priorities.
Strong project management skills; including organization and prioritizing resources and budgets and delivering within timelines.
Knowledge and experience with 3rd party auditing and certification programs including GFSI, Kosher certification, and non-GMO project verified
The salary range is $160,000 - $180,000 annually. This role is also eligible for benefits and equity.