Job Description

The Director of Food Safety, Quality, and R&D oversees the Quality and Research & Development departments and serves as the foremost expert on food safety, quality, formula development, and regulatory compliance. They are responsible for developing and managing comprehensive food safety programs to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and customer requirements. This leadership role will oversee the assessment of new products for food safety and feasibility, provide guidance in the investigation of product holds, customer complaints and quality issues and use their expertise to provide solutions. The Director will provide strategic direction for quality systems, lead regulatory inspections, customer audits, and manage departmental budgets while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, execute, and improve Food Safety programs (including HACCP) to be compliant with federal, state, and local regulations and customer requirements to ensure 100% safe quality product.
• Review and assess all new products/formulations for food safety, microbial stability, shelf life, and manufacturing feasibility and provide guidance to the R&D Department. Provide direction to the R&D supervisor to align with sales and support for customer initiatives.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of food codes, regulatory requirements on ingredient and nutritional labeling, foods standard of identity, ingredient restrictions, etc., to provide guidance to the regulatory team including Supply Chain Risk Management. Thermal Process Authority.
• Maintain all certifications for the facility including SQF, Kosher, Halal, Organic, Gluten Free, etc. with the assistance of the Quality Manager.
• Partners with Quality Manager to set up corporate direction for quality systems. Lead and influence process improvements with company leadership as needed.
• Lead all food product related regulatory agencies inspections including SQF and support customer audits.
• Oversee and Support Quality Leadership's management of quality issues, customer complaints and product holds. Provide guidance, assistance with the investigation and employee accountability documentation of related concerns.
• Provide oversight and guidance to R&D in plant trials, startups, technical issue troubleshoots, and continuous improvement initiatives of customers and the company. Provide technical leadership during related audits and customer communications.
• Oversee the departmental budgets. Give feedback to President and VP of Finance. Develop future budgets. Identify and implement cost savings.
• Ability to roll-up sleeves, step in and backup Quality Manager and R&D Supervisory roles.
• Adhere to all GMP, including sanitary requirements, Safety, Food Safety, and Standardized Work procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (BA/ BS) in Food Science, Microbiology or related science. Advanced degree (MS or PhD) preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in a Quality and R&D role with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles within the food industry. Food manufacturing formulation experience and US Food Regulatory Expertise are required. Experience with international regulatory requirements is preferred.
• Proven expertise in developing and managing food safety and quality programs, including GFSI (SQF) audit schemes.
• HACCP, PSCI and Better Processing School certifications.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient with ERP systems, Microsoft Office, and report writing.
• Proficient interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to interact with all levels of staff
• Detailed oriented with the ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistics, and risk analysis. Ability to identify trends and patterns.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.
• Ability to lead, motivate and hold direct reports accountable to accomplish company goals.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions based on common sense and technical expertise. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Please note this is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Family-owned for over 150 years, Masterson Foods has a rich history and reputation as a quality supplier of premium sweet and savory food products. We are a recognized leader in supplying these products and customized manufacturing solutions to the restaurant, packaged ice cream, and contract manufacturing segments of the food industry. Through a process of continuous improvement and renewal, Masterson will exceed the expectations of our customers, employees, and community. We are committed to being a good neighbor, an attractive and ethical place to work, and an attentive supplier.

Masterson Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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