Director Of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

At Izzio Artisan Bakery we make America’s #1 selling Sourdough bread! Our bakery is focused on providing our customers with great breads created using traditional methods and the best possible ingredients. Our people are a major part of our process and success.

We’re searching for an entrepreneurial Director ofFood Safety & Quality Assurance to join our team of high-performing leaders. This position is crucial to ensuring our company maintains the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance within the food industry.

The Director ofFood Safety & Quality Assurance has oversight of the QA Department and provides leadership and guidance to a team of talented product developers and technicians. Responsible for all aspects of the management of QA and Food Safety activities for the plant.

Essential Duties

• Provides oversight for the development and maintenance of quality programs, systems, processes, and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develops quality control metrics for performance and working with cross-departmental team’s implements continuous improvement agenda and procedures.
• Oversees the development and implementation of departmental procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (GMP’s, Food Safety, SQF, etc.).
• Responsible for quality concerns and customer feedback process, including conducting root cause analysis, implementing corrective action.
• Provides expertise and guidance in interpreting policies, regulatory and/or governmental regulations, and internal regulations to assure compliance.
• Leads audit and inspection preparation, resolution of audit and inspection findings and liaises with auditing groups and inspectors through all stages of the audits.
• Obtain and maintain product certifications (Kosher, Non-GMO Project Verified, etc.)
• On-site SQF Practitioner, HACCP Team Lead and FSMA PCQI.
• Works with Supply Chain team to ensure appropriate communication and resolution of Supplier Quality issues.
• Act as a subject matter expert and liaison to Federal, State and local public health authorities. Manage regulatory issues across our supply chain network.
• Coordinate the product disposition, product withdrawals and recalls process. Direct Recall and Traceability Programs including Mock Recalls.
• Supports the Product Development program, formulation adjustments, product evaluations, scale-up, verification/validation and new product development, design, testing, compliance, and launch activities.
• Oversee specifications, shelf-life, and other activities for current/new products.
• Guarantees all the Company's products, packaging and labels are accurate prior to release.
• Develop high performing work teams within department through recruitment, selection, and retention. Responsible for hands on coaching, training, and engaging team members through ongoing communication.
• Lead and maintain Food Defense program management and certifications of implicated staff.
• Stay current with all regulatory and certifying agency guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree or equivalent required in Food Science, Engineering, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or related fields.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in quality systems management, within a food production/food & beverage environment, bakery experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of direct leadership experience (must have overseen direct reports).
• PCQI Certified. Prior SQF certification experience and must have the ability to maintain Level II SQF facility.
• Understanding of HACCP, GMP, FSMA, SQF Code, Food Allergens and Microbiology.
• Industry leading understanding of ingredient functionality, product evaluation, health and nutrition, food manufacturing processes, microbiology, Quality Assurance principles, and market research practices.
• Must be formally trained on HACCP implementation.
• Advanced training and knowledge to ensure compliance with FSMA regulations, state and federal food standards, sanitation chemical/material use and procedures, Food Safety procedures, and dairy plant inspections, 3rd party audits, food labeling, and product distribution and handling.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). Possess people skills with the ability to communicate through training and on-the-floor validation/coaching of general Food Safety practices.
• Capable of working well with cross-functional teams in a dynamic setting to achieve company goals.
• Works well in high pressure situations to meet company deadlines.
• Maintain regular, consistent attendance & punctuality. Must have a flexible schedule that may require occasional nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

• There is exposure to extreme temperatures (cold and hot).
• There is exposure to dust and food allergens.
• Personal protective Equipment is available upon request but is not required for this position.
• Lifting 10 -20 pounds frequently.
• All machines are equipped with Protective guards. All safety protocols and GMP’s must be followed.

Direct Reports: QA Manager and Supervisors

Reports to: CEO/COO

Location: On-site – Louisville CO

Compensation is based on level of experience, other relevant experience, and requirements of the position.The range provided serves only as a guideline and does not automatically qualify all candidates (internal or external) for the high end of the range.

$125,000.00 to $175,000.00