Job Description:

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:The VP of Quality Assurance & Food Safety will lead the Quality Assurance department and be the authority on food safety standards and practices, the champion of a food safety culture and the key to the company's commitment to providing safe, quality food to our customers and consumers. As a member of the senior management team the VP will collaborate with other leaders throughout the business to ensure food safety and the production of high-quality products that meet our specifications and consumer expectations while maintaining an excellent rating for our quality program. This position manages QA Managers, a Food Safety Manager, and provides direction to the QA team as needed. Heshe is the point of contact for USDA, FDA, and all other government agents to ensure compliance with all regulations and is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all certifications such as SQF, HACCP, etc. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES: • Lead the Quality team, providing oversight of all product quality, to staff who are results oriented and driven to serve their internal and external customers. • Develop and implement regulatory strategy and manage those systems and programs in order to meet all corporate goals and objectives. • Protection of brands through continues improvement in areas of compliance to food safety, quality, regulatory, sanitation and corporate standards. • Develop strategic quality and food safety goals for the business as well as KPIs for the Quality department and lead the team to ensure accomplishment of these goals. • Participate in innovation process to ensure complete quality and food safety risk analysis and validation of compliance documentation. • Oversee regulatory affairs and will act as the subject matter expert on behalf of the business for regulatory compliance issues. Ensure all product labeling and marketing materials are compliant with regulatory requirements. • Administer the company's micro testing as the authority on interpreting micro results, gatekeeping product release, and implementing any corrective actions to address any flaws suggested by test results. • Ensure timely communication with Sales and Suppliers regarding changes in shipments or specifications verifying changes are noted as acceptable. Manage the hold and release program and take appropriate action when any product fails to meet required specifications. Report any inadequacy in approved programs or processing procedures to appropriate company officers. • Act as the leader and authority figure in any food safety incident, including but not limited to, suspected contamination, foodborne illness, product adulteration, or recall of any kind; maintain control over and documentation of all affected product until a final determination is made and is used or properly disposed of. Is the liaison between USDA - both import and domestic inspectors. • Lead all quality and food safety audits from preparation (scheduling and coordination with auditing bodies, managing mock audits, self-auditing documentation, creating and managing punch lists for maintenance and operational improvements, training teammate culture and practice), to audit (managing the auditor at all times and their process of gathering necessary materials), to corrective action and response (identifying appropriate corrective actions, managing implementation with maintenance and operations, and documenting and reporting corrective actions in a timely fashion). Ensure certifications are maintained consistently and third-party suppliers maintain all audits and certifications we require of them as well. Undertakes customer and SQF, Organic, Halal, EU, and customer specific audits. Acts as the SQF Practitioner. Manages all re-certification audits for the New Jersey production facility (SQF, HACCP, GMP). • Oversee the management of the Quality team and provide support, mentoring, and development opportunities to the managers. Oversee and verify the activities of the Quality department, ensuring all required documentation and inspection of the raw materials and finished products are complete and accurate. • Manage all inbound Quality approval systems of raw material supply from vendors. Will develop and manage a fail-safe beef testing procedure for ground programs. Will work with Purchasing team to develop a procedure and process for inbound meat from global suppliers. • Provide oversight on creating, modifying, and conducting relevant HACCP, Food Safety and GMP training for plant employees to ensure HACCP policies are met. • Will maintain a thorough knowledge of quality systems including HACCP programs. Stays current with changing regulatory requirements, implements, and communicates new processes and procedures to remain compliant. • Manage the pest control program for the business, ensuring regular inspections are completed by the pest control company and timely actions are taken when a problem is identified. • Performs other related duties as assigned by management within scope and ability, and initiates recommendations to further enhance the company's recognition as a top employer. • There are zero non-compliance Food Safety and Quality Assurance issues in the Company • Product is received, processed, shipped, and controlled according to specifications • New hires receive HACCP, GMP and Food Safety training to perform their duties • Training programs are updated, and records are maintained accurately • Surveyed and measured customer feedback scores meet or exceed target around quality, service, integrity, and food safety QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field; Master's degree preferred • 10+ years of experience in a senior level food safety, quality management role working with protein products (raw meat) • 15+ years of experience in food manufacturing • Excellent people management skills, providing support, mentoring, and developing the team to grow in their careers • Strong knowledge of products, processing, packaging, and specification required • In depth understanding of SQF and HACCP system. Able to navigate easily through FSIS USDA websites and SQF program to locate specific sections of the program pertaining to daily tasks. HACCP Accreditation required; SQF Practitioner required • Thorough knowledge of quality assurance principles, US Food and Drug Administration (USDAFDA) meat processing regulations and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Food Safety Enhancement Program (FSEP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards • Strong experience upholding all state regulations and ability to work with government regulatory bodies • Internal auditing qualifications and ability to lead audits both internally and externally • Organized self-starter with proven ability to manage and effectively follow up on multiple projects and assignments and meet all deadlines • Excellent observational skills with attention to detail and accuracy • Strong working knowledge and experience of continuous improvement processes such as Lean of Six Sigma, as well as the ability to effectively collaborate with the company executive team and senior leadership team • Strong oral and written communication skills; able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with leaders, staff, and external FDAUSDA Inspectors • Proficient in computer software, such as inventory traceability software, manufacturing software and Microsoft Office • Team player with high integrity, values, and a positive attitude • Able to effectively handle the high stress, time and work demands of this positionJuno is an Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. The Company is committed to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. It's expected that all employees are aware of this policy and that they create an environment that's sensitive and respectful to all individuals.