Director of Quality - Saturn Petcare : Job Details

SUMMARY: The Director of Food Safety / Quality / Regulatory and Quality Assurance will provide strategic direction for Company-wide Product Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory Affairs programs. The director will work directly with Operations management to ensure implementation and adherence to these programs and systems. Will also work in conjunction with R&D, Purchasing, Logistics and other departments to provide equivalent guidance throughout our Food Supply Chain system. Be a resource to Sales organization, providing support with Customer requirements, communications and resolution of issuesEssential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Lead and manage multi-site quality programs, including QA, QC, and support process development.

Establish and maintain a strong culture of quality and continuous improvement, including the adoption of best practices and innovative quality assurance technologies.

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.

Ensure full compliance with FDA requirements for food safety, quality, labeling, and process.

Maintain USDA / APHIS export approvals.

Oversee the implementation and maintenance of SQF (GFSI), HACCP, GMP programs.

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.

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

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

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.

Conducts performance appraisals; provides feedback; and assists in setting goals and objectives.

Define and maintain a strong people management, training, and engagement culture to ensure a high and constantly improving the right first-time rate in manufacturing and QC.

Identify, recruit, and manage the QA team, implementing a strong quality culture and ensuring staff engagement and development in line with the site competency framework. Own the succession plan for the team ensuring business continuity and staff retention/engagement.

Apply expert knowledge and experience in discussion and debate and contribute as a member of the Quality Management to set and deliver the strategy for the department in line with Heristo's objectives.

Manage direct and indirect costs associated with QA, within business targets and budgets. Ensure representation of QA at the site S&OP process and ensure business deliverables are achievable safely and compliantly.

Any other duties commensurate with position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:Lead and direct the QC, QA and RA managers and department. Carry out management responsibilities in accordance with site policies, applicable federal and local regulations. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training of employees. In addition, the Director will be responsible for planning, strategizing the department short and long range plans, appraising performance and resolving personnel work related issuesQualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of 10 - 15 years of work experience in senior leadership position withing the food, beverage, and nutritional industry.

Pet food experience a plus

BS in in Food Science, or related field (Meat science, Biology, Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Chemistry, or Industrial Engineering). Advance degree preferred.

Extensive experience in customer interaction and managing product recalls.

Excellent leadership and management skills.

Proven track record of implementing and managing QMS in a manufacturing environment.

Strong knowledge of Quality management system (QMS); particularly SQF, 21 CFR 110, 113, and 507.

Good interpersonal skills, and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Experience with risk management and root cause analysis.

Knowledge of data analysis using statistical process control (SPC) tools

Preferred: HACCP, PCQI, SQF certifications. Allergen Control and Food Recall training. Root Cause Analysis training a plus.

Computer and Technology Skills: The successful candidate must be proficient in MS Office applications.Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as standard operating procedures, work instructions and policy guides, and other procedural manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization. Ability to understand German language is a plus.Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and ability to apply concepts such as: fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Allergen Awareness Products produced in this facility may contain the following allergens: Egg, Shellfish, Fish, GlutenPhysical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to 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 the job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, climb, sit, walk, talk, and hear. The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 15 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Disclaimer:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to create a contract, nor are they to be construed to constitute contractual obligations of any kind or a contract of employment between Saturn Petcare Inc. and any of its employees. The provisions of job descriptions have been developed at the discretion of management and may be amended or cancelled at any time by Saturn Petcare Inc. with or without notice.Employment with Saturn Petcare Inc. is voluntarily entered, and the employee is free to resign at will at any time, with or without cause. Similarly, Saturn Petcare Inc. may terminate the employment relationship at will at any time, with or without notice or cause, so long as there is not violation of applicable federal or state law.