About the Role
The Director of Regulatory & Quality Compliance will be responsible for the company's overall food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance strategy across all facilities and brands. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role sets enterprise-wide quality standards and regulatory policy, owns the company's relationships with FDA, USDA, and other regulatory and certification bodies, and provides functional leadership and guidance to plant-level Quality Managers, who report administratively through Operations leadership.
Key Activities
Develop and own the company's enterprise-wide food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance strategy, in alignment with the COO and executive leadership team.
Serve as the primary executive liaison with FDA, USDA, state regulatory agencies, and third-party certification bodies (SQF/BRC).
Monitor the regulatory landscape (FSMA, FSVP, labeling, allergen, and traceability requirements) and advise leadership on emerging risks and required investments.
Own the corporate Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS) and set enterprise-wide policies, standards, and KPIs that apply across all facilities and brands.
Governance & Functional Oversight of the Quality Organization.
Provide functional leadership, coaching, and technical direction to facility Quality Managers, who report administratively to their respective Director of Operations.
Establish consistent quality standards, documentation practices, and training programs across all locations to ensure a unified approach to food safety.
Review facility-level quality performance metrics and audit results; partner with Operations leadership to close gaps and drive continuous improvement.
Lead succession planning and capability-building for the quality and regulatory function company-wide.
Audit, Certification & Crisis Management.
Own the corporate certification strategy (SQF/BRC) and oversee the annual audit calendar across all facilities.
Serve as executive lead for regulatory inspections, significant customer audits, and any product hold, withdrawal, or recall event.
Direct root-cause investigations and corrective/preventive action plans for major non-conformances, escalating to the COO and executive team as needed.
Maintain the company's crisis management and recall response plan, and lead cross-functional response teams when activated.
Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership
Partner with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Legal, and Sales on regulatory requirements for new products, ingredients, packaging, and claims.
Support new facility start-ups and M&A due diligence by assessing quality and regulatory risk.
Prepare and present quality, food safety, and regulatory performance updates to the COO and executive leadership on a regular cadence.
Manage the department's budget, including investments in audits, certifications, testing, and training.
Preferred Skills
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence outcomes and quality culture without direct line authority.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership and external regulators.
Strategic thinking balanced with hands-on technical credibility; comfortable moving between the boardroom and the plant floor.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in food safety, quality, or regulatory compliance leadership within food manufacturing, including 5+ years at a Director level or above.
Demonstrated experience managing quality and regulatory programs across multiple facilities or business units.
About Us
Finding a great opportunity that fosters growth, a great culture, and leadership opportunities can be difficult. Top Quality Recruitment (TQR) connects professionals with leadership opportunities across the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Medical Devices, and Biotechnology industries. With 50+ years of experience, we believe in one-to-one communication and finding the best candidate/employer match possible.
TQR is an equal-opportunity employer that encourages diversity. We will consider all applications.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request.
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