Head of Quality (Protein)

Role Purpose

The Head of Quality is responsible for developing, leading, and continuously improving the company's food safety and quality systems across all U.S. meat operations. This role ensures full compliance with USDA/FSIS regulations, customer standards, and internal quality objectives while fostering a strong food safety culture throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as the company's senior authority on USDA/FSIS compliance, including HACCP, SSOPs, and Sanitation Performance Standards.

• Act as the primary liaison with USDA/FSIS inspectors, third-party auditors, and regulatory agencies.

• Ensure readiness for and successful outcomes of USDA inspections, Food Safety Assessments (FSAs), and enforcement reviews.

• Oversee compliance with Humane Handling, Pathogen Reduction, and Residue Control programs.

• Lead regulatory responses, corrective actions, and root cause analyses for non-compliance events.

Quality Management Systems

• Design, implement, and maintain robust Food Safety & Quality Management Systems (HACCP-based).

• Ensure alignment with customer and certification standards such as SQF, BRCGS, ISO 22000, or customer-specific requirements.

• Establish and track KPIs related to food safety, quality performance, and continuous improvement.

• Own document control, validation, verification, and recordkeeping processes.

Leadership & Culture

• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing quality and food safety teams across all sites.

• Champion a strong food safety culture, ensuring accountability at all organizational levels.

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, Procurement, and Supply Chain to embed quality into daily decision-making.

• Lead training programs for food safety, GMPs, HACCP, and regulatory awareness.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify food safety and quality risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Lead recall readiness, mock recalls, and crisis management activities.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.

• Oversee internal audits and supplier approval/monitoring programs.

Customer & Commercial Support

• Act as the senior quality contact for key customers and retail/foodservice partners.

• Support customer audits, specifications, and complaint resolution.

• Collaborate with Sales and Product Development on new product launches and line extensions.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Microbiology, Meat Science, or a related field (required)

• Master's degree preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive quality and food safety leadership experience in the U.S. meat or poultry industry

• Demonstrated senior-level responsibility within USDA/FSIS-regulated environments

• Experience leading quality programs across multiple facilities strongly preferred

• Proven track record managing audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, and USDA regulations (9 CFR)

• Strong understanding of microbiological hazards (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli)

• Experience with raw and/or RTE meat operations

• Familiarity with quality systems software and data analytics tools