Director of FSQA (Frozen/RTC)

We are seeking an experienced Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) to lead food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across a network of manufacturing facilities in the United States.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity within an established, growing food manufacturing business operating in a complex, fast-paced production environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving a consistent approach to food safety and quality across multiple sites, strengthening operational standards, developing site-level leadership teams, and embedding a proactive culture of continuous improvement.

The role requires a hands-on, commercially aware leader who can balance strategic oversight with operational execution, partnering closely with plant leadership, operations, supply chain, and senior management.

Key Responsibilities

Multi-Site FSQA Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for food safety and quality across multiple manufacturing facilities.

• Establish, standardize, and continuously improve FSQA policies, procedures, and performance metrics across the network.

• Lead, coach, and develop site-level FSQA managers and their teams, building a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

• Partner with Plant Managers and Operations leadership to ensure food safety and quality are integrated into daily manufacturing practices.

• Identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, and best-practice sharing between facilities.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable USDA, FDA, FSMA, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and verification of HACCP plans, preventive controls, sanitation programs, and prerequisite programs.

• Maintain audit readiness across all facilities, including regulatory inspections, third-party certification audits, and customer assessments.

• Drive effective corrective and preventive action programs, root cause analysis, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Provide leadership in incident management, product holds, traceability, and recall preparedness.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement a consistent quality management framework across the manufacturing network.

• Monitor quality performance, identify emerging risks, and lead initiatives to reduce customer complaints, non-conformances, and operational losses.

• Oversee environmental monitoring, microbiological controls, supplier quality, and product verification programs.

• Work cross-functionally to support process improvements, product launches, and operational changes.

• Leverage data and performance indicators to drive measurable improvements in food safety, product quality, and manufacturing performance.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on food safety, quality, compliance, and operational risk.

• Build strong working relationships with Operations, Engineering, R&D, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams.

• Develop talent and succession plans within the FSQA function.

• Support the evaluation and integration of new facilities, processes, and manufacturing capabilities as the business evolves.

• Promote a strong, consistent food safety culture throughout the organization.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related scientific or technical discipline.

• Significant progressive experience in food safety and quality leadership within food manufacturing.

• Demonstrated success leading FSQA functions across multiple manufacturing facilities, or substantial responsibility within a large, complex manufacturing network.

• Experience within highly regulated, temperature-controlled, or high-volume food production environments is strongly preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of USDA and/or FDA regulatory frameworks, HACCP, FSMA, and GFSI-recognized certification standards.

• Proven experience managing regulatory inspections, customer audits, food safety incidents, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Track record of developing high-performing teams and influencing operational leaders across geographically dispersed sites.

Leadership Attributes

• Strong operational mindset with the ability to translate strategy into practical, measurable outcomes.

• Confident and credible communicator, comfortable engaging with both plant-floor teams and executive leadership.

• Collaborative leadership style, with the ability to influence across functions without compromising food safety standards.

• Analytical, solutions-focused approach with sound judgment and strong decision-making capabilities.

• Comfortable operating in a dynamic manufacturing environment with competing priorities.

• Willingness to travel regularly between manufacturing locations.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will establish a consistent, high-performing FSQA function across the manufacturing network, ensuring robust regulatory compliance, stronger site-level accountability, and measurable improvements in food safety and quality performance.

They will be recognized as a practical, commercially minded leader who builds strong teams, partners effectively with Operations, and creates sustainable improvements across the business.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to shape and influence food safety and quality strategy across a multi-site manufacturing organization. It provides significant operational exposure, close interaction with senior leadership, and the ability to make a tangible impact on standards, performance, and culture across the business.