FSQ Director

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARYThe Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Director provides strategic leadership for food safety and quality programs across multiple international manufacturing sites and global co-manufacturing partners producing ready-to-eat meat snacks. This role supports operations throughout Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand/Australia.The FSQ Director establishes food safety and quality expectations for both FSQ teams and cross-functional partners, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and industry best practices. This position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and continuous improvement of quality systems that support corporate FSQ objectives while delivering an awesome consumer experience.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESLead Food Safety and Quality programs across multiple international manufacturing facilities and global co-manufacturing partnersGuide and hold facilities accountable to Link Snacks standards and local, regional, and international standards for executing HACCP, Food Safety Plans, SSOPs, prerequisite programs, and related food safety systemsLeverage scientific supporting documentation, validation results, and technical support to ensure sound decisions in food manufacturing Provide leadership and accountability to facility FSQ teams through routine performance reviews, KPI monitoring, and operational assessmentsReview microbiological, chemical, sensory, environmental, and in-process testing programs to ensure product safety and qualityReview product quality metrics, determine product disposition, and ensure timely product releaseEnsures Listeria environmental monitoring and control program execution including corrective actions, record keeping, and reporting Develop, monitor, and maintain ingredient control, process control, and preventive control systems Develop and maintain GFSI global standards program and lead facilities through certification and ongoing maintenance of programChallenge Food Safety Systems through mock recalls to verify traceability effectiveness and accuracy of data gathering and record keeping functions Serve as the technical resource for manufacturing facilities during process changes, product launches, and troubleshooting activitiesSupport manufacturing site regulatory compliance Function as the liaison between operations and regulators Monitor global regulatory changes and responds accordinglyManages non-conforming product or process issuesManage non-conforming products, quality incidents, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programsOversee incoming material inspection programs and supplier corrective action processesLead consumer complaint investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and documentationHolds plants, suppliers, operations, accountable when deviations from expectations with attention to detail and urgencyTraining and developmentActively support the onboarding of Operations and FSQ team members creating a strong foundational understanding of GMP’s and SSOP’s leading toward a commitment to a reliable Food Safety CultureIdentifies, hires and develops FSQ team members to deliver the highest product quality standards through rigorous monitoring of the process and productsWorks with relevant academic institutions to develop internship and career opportunitiesEnforce all safety rules and company policies; provide appropriate interpretation of company policies and safety policies for team members Participate in the Corporate FSQ Leadership team including development of corporate expectations and long term FSQ strategic planning        This position will require a large amount of travel and much of it international 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds.  Must have the ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Earplugs and/or hearing protection, Hairnet, Beard-net, Protective eyewear, and slip resistant footwear.WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Work is performed primarily in an office environment.  At times, incumbent may need to enter production environment where there could be exposure to moderate cold, manufacturing equipment movement, loud noise levels, strong odors (spices, jerky, sauces, etc.) and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.