Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Location: Ohio (Multi-Site Responsibility | Travel Required)
Overview
The Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance is a key strategic leader responsible for ensuring the highest standards of product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance across facilities located in Northern/Central Ohio. This individual will oversee the company’s Food Quality Plan, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and cultivate a culture of excellence that supports both operational integrity and customer satisfaction.
This is a multi-site leadership role requiring occasional travel between facilities to provide direct support, conduct audits, and align teams with company-wide quality and safety objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
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Develop and implement a comprehensive Food Quality Plan with defined Critical Quality Points (CQPs) and critical limits.
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Drive strategic initiatives that elevate product quality, process consistency, and overall compliance across all sites.
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Foster a “Quality-First” culture that values proactive communication, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.
Operational Excellence
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Implement electronic data collection systems for real-time monitoring and traceability.
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Lead data analysis and use insights to identify opportunities for process and quality improvements.
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Establish and standardize product and equipment specifications across sites to ensure consistent outcomes.
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Monitor deviations and manage complaint investigations through Root Cause / Corrective Action Reports (RC-CARs).
Customer & Supplier Partnerships
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Conduct product evaluations and attend sensory sessions at customer facilities as needed.
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Respond to customer concerns with effective problem-solving and follow-up actions.
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Support in managing ingredient supplier FSQA documentation and verifying Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
Compliance & Auditing
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Ensure compliance with SQF standards, customer requirements, and regulatory mandates.
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Participate in SQF inspections, risk assessments, and ongoing policy reviews.
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Support Food Defense and Food Fraud programs and documentation.
People & Performance
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Lead, coach, and develop the Quality team, promoting engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
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Facilitate weekly Quality Meetings and participate in quarterly SQS reviews to evaluate progress and set goals.
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Oversee training initiatives to strengthen technical expertise and compliance awareness across teams.
Innovation & R&D Collaboration
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Partner with Research & Development on new product initiatives, ensuring that quality and safety are integrated from concept through launch.
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Manage customer portal submissions, product sample requests, and other external quality deliverables.
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Quality Assurance, or a related discipline.
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Proven multi-site leadership experience within the food manufacturing industry.
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In-depth knowledge of SQF standards, FDA/USDA regulations, and GFSI-compliant quality systems.
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
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Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence at all organizational levels.
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Must be willing and able to travel between facilities as business needs require (approximately 25–30%).