Corporate Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Location:Corporate / Multi-Site
Reports To:Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Direct Oversight:Three Manufacturing Facilities
Employment Type:Full-Time | Director Level
Position Summary
Sea Watch International is seeking an experienced and results-drivenCorporate Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA)to provide strategic leadership and oversight of food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across three manufacturing facilities.
The Corporate Director of FSQA will be responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance of the Company's products and manufacturing processes. This position will establish and maintain corporate FSQA standards while partnering closely with Operations, Sales & Marketing, Product Development, and other members of management to support operational excellence and new product innovation.
The successful candidate will be a highly accountable, analytical, and collaborative leader with extensive experience in food manufacturing and a strong working knowledge ofGMP, HACCP, SSOP, SOP, SQF, FDA, and USDA requirements.
This position plays a critical role in protecting consumer safety, maintaining regulatory compliance, strengthening the Company's quality culture, and protecting the Company's brand and reputation.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Leadership
Provide corporate leadership and direction for all food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs across three manufacturing facilities.
Establish, implement, and maintain consistent FSQA standards, policies, procedures, and expectations across all locations.
Contribute information, analysis, and recommendations to corporate strategic plans and management reviews.
Develop and complete corrective and preventive action plans, including appropriate training and employee education.
Implement production, productivity, food safety, and quality initiatives and process improvements.
Identify, investigate, and resolve food safety and quality issues in a timely and effective manner.
Ensure completion and follow-up of internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
Identify opportunities for system improvement and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Provide and oversee food safety and quality training throughout the organization.
Promote a strong food safety and quality culture throughout all manufacturing operations.
Food Safety & Quality Systems
Develop, implement, maintain, and validate food safety and quality assurance programs.
Conduct and maintain comprehensive hazard analyses.
Identify critical control points, preventive controls, and other appropriate food safety measures.
Establish and maintain critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification procedures.
Direct, administer, and monitor the Company'sSQF systemand ensure continued certification and compliance.
Develop, enforce, and validate GMP, SOP, and SSOP systems.
Establish and maintain product specifications and quality attributes.
Ensure food safety and quality requirements are effectively incorporated into production processes.
Monitor production performance and maintain appropriate documentation and records.
Determine and monitor operational and performance qualifications for processes and equipment.
Maintain an appropriate inventory of quality control and testing equipment.
Write, review, update, and maintain quality assurance policies, procedures, and programs.
Collect, analyze, and summarize quality and food safety trends, including failed processes, sanitation validations, shelf-life studies, recalls, corrective actions, and re-validations.
Regulatory Compliance
Maintain current working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local food safety and regulatory requirements.
Develop and maintain professional working relationships withUSDA and FDA personnel, as applicable.
Ensure facilities remain prepared for regulatory inspections and audits.
Ensure required testing, documentation, monitoring, and verification activities are completed accurately and timely.
Respond promptly and thoroughly to regulatory non-compliance reports and oversee appropriate corrective actions or appeals in the best interest of the Company.
Monitor regulatory changes and communicate applicable requirements and recommended actions to management.
Develop and enforce appropriate environmental monitoring and testing programs.
Ensure regulatory requirements are incorporated into product development, labeling, manufacturing, sanitation, and quality systems.
Sanitation & Environmental Programs
Provide corporate oversight of plant sanitation programs and services.
Ensure sanitation procedures meet Company, customer, SQF, USDA, FDA, and other applicable requirements.
Monitor sanitation effectiveness through appropriate verification and validation activities.
Oversee environmental testing programs and ensure appropriate corrective action is taken when results do not meet established standards.
Partner with Operations to identify and eliminate root causes of sanitation and environmental issues.
Product Quality & Customer Assurance
Maintain and continuously improve product quality and consistency across all manufacturing locations.
Conduct and oversee product, company, system, compliance, and surveillance audits.
Investigate customer complaints and ensure appropriate root-cause analysis and corrective action.
Analyze quality trends and develop strategies to prevent recurring issues.
Maintain microbiological, organoleptic, and other appropriate shelf-life studies.
Work collaboratively with management to develop improved manufacturing methods, processes, and training programs.
Establish effective vendor relationships to ensure ingredients, packaging, and other materials meet Company specifications and applicable labeling and regulatory requirements.
Support supplier quality and the Company's approved supplier program.
New Product Development & Continuous Improvement
Partner closely with Sales & Marketing and Product Development to initiate, develop, test, and commercialize new products.
Provide FSQA and regulatory guidance throughout the product development process.
Review product formulations, processes, specifications, labels, and related documentation for compliance and quality requirements.
Establish criteria and requirements for the approved supplier program.
Advocate for continuous improvement in product development and manufacturing processes.
Ensure new products are effectively transitioned from development through commercial production while maintaining food safety and quality standards.
Financial & Budgetary Responsibilities
Develop annual FSQA budgets based on operational and strategic requirements.
Estimate personnel, equipment, testing, sanitation, training, and other resource requirements.
Schedule and approve expenditures within established authority.
Monitor departmental spending and analyze budget variances.
Initiate corrective actions as necessary to maintain financial objectives.
Evaluate investments in equipment, technology, testing, and systems based on business and food safety needs.
Leadership & Team Development
Provide leadership, direction, and accountability to FSQA personnel across all manufacturing locations.
Establish clear expectations and performance standards for FSQA teams.
Promote consistency in food safety and quality practices across all facilities.
Develop employee training and education programs to strengthen food safety and quality knowledge.
Encourage individual accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
Maintain constructive and professional working relationships with all departments and levels of the organization.
Promote a collaborative team environment built on respect, communication, accountability, and shared responsibility.
Communicate effectively with executive leadership, plant management, regulatory agencies, customers, vendors, and employees.
Additional Responsibilities
Candidate Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field required.
Master's degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in food processing/manufacturing, with significant experience in food safety and quality assurance.
Demonstrated experience providing leadership across multiple manufacturing facilities or locations.
Experience regularly interacting withUSDA and/or FDA personnel.
In-depth knowledge of:
GMP
HACCP
SSOP
SOP
SQF
FDA regulations
USDA requirements
Food safety and quality systems
Environmental monitoring and testing
Sanitation programs
Product specifications and quality standards
Corrective and preventive action systems
Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, equipment, products, and quality control practices.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred
SQF Practitioner experience or certification.
Experience leading successful SQF certification and regulatory audits.
Experience with product development and commercialization.
Experience developing and managing corporate food safety and quality systems.
Experience with environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, and shelf-life programs.
Experience managing quality assurance budgets and multi-site teams.
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
AccountabilityTakes ownership of results and follows through on commitments.
LeadershipProvides clear direction while developing and supporting others.
Analytical ThinkingUses data, trends, and root-cause analysis to make sound decisions.
Attention to DetailMaintains high standards for documentation, compliance, and execution.
Results OrientationEstablishes priorities and drives initiatives through completion.
CollaborationBuilds productive relationships across departments and facilities.
Customer FocusUnderstands the importance of product safety, quality, consistency, and customer expectations.
Continuous ImprovementIdentifies opportunities to strengthen processes, systems, and performance.
CommunicationCommunicates clearly, professionally, and effectively with employees, management, customers, and regulatory agencies.
What's on Offer
Corporate Director-level leadership position
Direct reporting relationship to theChief Operating Officer
Corporate oversight ofthree manufacturing facilities
Significant influence over Company-wide food safety and quality systems
Competitivebase salary and annual bonus opportunity
GenerousPaid Time Off (PTO)
Comprehensivehealthcare benefits
401(k) retirement plan
Opportunity to play a key leadership role in the Company's continued growth and operational excellence
Sea Watch International is committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, integrity, and regulatory compliance while fostering a collaborative and accountable workplace.