PURPOSE:

At UNFI, our vision is to have a world class food safety management system that achieves the highest level of industry standards and exceeds consumer expectations. The Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) is responsible for the comprehensive FSQA program at Woodstock Farms (WSF). This position will direct the development and execution of our FSQA policy, as well as the strategic planning to ensure compliance of regulatory standards and overall company expectations. The Director, FSQA will be a champion of a sound food safety culture at WSF and will provide technical leadership on FSQA programs. This position will serve as the functional leader on FSQA matters to the WSF stakeholders and will be responsible to develop and lead a high functioning FSQA team.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute WSF FSQA strategy and workplan, get stakeholders aligned to strategy, vision, and priorities to motivate and influence the creation of a world class food safety program and culture
• Representative of WSF FSQA Team for priority matters: Act as the UNFI liaison for escalated regulatory agencies, other governmental or public entities as well as customer, supplier, and consumer matters. Serve as the FSQA leader in presenting FSQA initiatives and updates to WSF leadership and other stakeholder groups as needed
• Lead WSF food safety, quality assurance, pest management, regulatory, receiving and sanitation teams and programs
•  Lead the WSF FSQA policies/programs including SQF and HACCP manuals
• Lead internal food safety audits and ensure corrective actions closed promptly
• Lead external food safety audits including SQF, Organic, Kosher and Almond and ensure corrective actions closed promptly
• Participates and provide guidance during on-site customer visits and/or discussions – ensure all concerns are investigated to identify root cause and ensure corrective actions completed timely
• Investigate product quality and compliance issues (i.e., tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.) with the utmost sense of urgency and drive to identify root cause and ensure corrective actions completed timely
• Support activities on research and development, formulation adjustments, product evaluations and product launch activities.
• Manage all product labels and keep current on all industry label changes.
• Oversee shelf-life studies to ensure that the product last through its Best By date.
• Be a champion of promoting, communicating, and enforcing the WSF FSQA policies/programs
• Be and stay current with all State, Federal, and local regulatory agencies to ensure compliance
• Maintain compliance with Federal, state, and local regulation as well as adhere to SQF standards
• Direct activities in maintaining and executing effective food safety, food defense, and recall plans, policies, and processes
• Provide food safety training and support to production and internal/external customers
• Maintain active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodies
• Consistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, and nurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone’s top priority
• Communicate consistently, concisely, and clearly with various stakeholders as to important issues, updates, changes, and initiatives
• Build a high performing team to ensure the FSQA strategy for WSF is executed successfully, including hiring talent, onboarding, coaching, and driving accountability of the team. Lead annual talent reviews and calibrations.
• Performs other relevant job duties as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education/ Certifications:

•  Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Public Health, or related field required
• Master’s degree with major course work in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or other closely related field highly desirable.
• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and/or SQF Practitioner certifications required

Experience:

• 10+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing
• Experience with interpreting state and federal regulations, and maintaining working relationships with industry and regulatory officials
• 7+ years prior experience leading diverse teams of FSQA professionals and building high performing teams.
• Experience actively working with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to strategically solve problems, manage projects, and drive performance  
• Proficiency in understanding microbiological testing results for products

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• Knowledge of Quality management systems highly desirable

Skills/Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Skilled in root cause analysis, problem-solving, and driving corrective actions
• Proficient in developing and presenting business strategies to influence key stakeholders
• Effective at cross-functional collaboration to support continuous improvement
• Able to analyze and resolve complex issues through timely, data-driven decisions
• Experienced in training, coaching, and mentoring
• Strong time management, organizational, and analytical skills
• Capable of prioritizing tasks and adapting to change
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; strong presentation and training abilities
• Skilled in conflict resolution across all organizational levels
• Collaborative team player focused on achieving results
• Flexible and available to work varying hours as needed

Physical Environment/Demands:

• Onsite position with requirement to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment as part of the normal workday
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in completion of job duties
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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