Vice President of Quality

Job Summary: The Vice President of Quality is responsible for overseeing and enhancing our multi-site quality programs, ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in QA/QC, process development, and regulatory compliance, particularly within the food, beverage, flavor, or nutritional sectors.

Key Responsibilities and Required Qualifications:

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead and manage multi-site quality programs, including QA, QC, and support process development.
• Foster a culture of quality partnership across the organization, developing and mentoring a high-performing quality team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on education, food safety, and right-first-time principles.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance on quality and compliance matters to the executive team, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the company.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with FDA requirements for food safety, labeling, flavors, and dietary supplements.
• Maintain USDA and organic certifications.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of SQF & BRC (GFSI), HACCP programs.
• Ensure adherence to RFA & FT standards.
• Manage relationships with regulatory bodies and industry associations, staying ahead of changes in legislation and standards that could impact the company’s products or processes.

Laboratory Management:

• Oversee laboratory operations, including LIMS, HPLC, GC MS, wet chemistry tests, and product sample management.
• Coordinate with external laboratories for pathogen testing, nutritional analysis, and environmental labs for water quality.

ERP Implementation:

• Lead ERP implementation projects to optimize quality and compliance processes organization wide.

Product Commercialization:

• Accelerate speed-to-market initiatives through effective material evaluation, supplier validation, product design, and specification generation and validation.

Audits and Compliance:

• Conduct and oversee internal, supplier, customer, and regulatory audits (FDA, Organic, SQF & BRC).
• Manage and resolve product recall activities efficiently and effectively.
• Oversee the management of audits, both internal and external, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and identifying opportunities for process improvement.

Continuous Improvement and Problem Solving:

• Lead complaint resolution processes (CAPA) and perform root cause analysis.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives and drive continuous quality improvements through data analysis.
• Establish and maintain a strong culture of quality and continuous improvement, including the adoption of best practices and innovative quality assurance technologies.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and supply chain teams to integrate quality and compliance considerations into product development and manufacturing processes.
• Lead the response to quality or compliance issues, including product recalls, regulatory actions, and customer complaints, ensuring timely and transparent communication with all stakeholders.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong customer and people orientation with exceptional leadership qualities.
• Extroverted, adaptable, and goal-oriented.
• Robust technical background with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Superior problem-solving and data analysis capabilities.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and lead teams towards excellence.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization and external partners.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance regulatory compliance with business objectives.
• Acute attention to detail and high level of organization and accuracy.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field is required. Master’s degree in an associated field or an MBA is preferred.
• Minimum of 10-15 years in a senior leadership position within the food, beverage, flavor, or nutritional industry.
• Proven experience in managing multi-plant operations and corporate quality roles.
• Extensive experience in customer interaction and managing product recalls.
• Proven track record of implementing and managing a QMS in a manufacturing environment.

Required Certifications:

• SQF Practitioner
• PCQI
• HACCP
• Halal, Rainforest Alliance, and Fairtrade preferred.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Insurance effective on the first of the month following start date
• Health and Wellness Incentives
• Generous Vacation
• 9 Paid Company Holidays
• 5 Personal Days
• 401(k)
• Health Savings Account (H.S.A.)
• Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)