Hi, we're
is a self-funded, profitable, rapidly growing multi-channel DTC specialty food and wellness company with over 550 people on our team. We're changing the landscape of snacking on nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and more. We planted our roots in Newark, New Jersey during the Great Depression, selling premium nuts on Mulberry Street's open-air market. We've come quite a long way since then, taking our multi-generational family business online in 1999. Even after 94 years, we continue to pride ourselves in expertly sourcing the highest quality foods and treating our customers like family.
What's our team like? We're driven, collaborative and entrepreneurial. Energy and passion power our business and we look for candidates who share in that excitement to help us continue to build something special.
The role:
The Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance is an integral part of the operations leadership team and at the center of the company's growth pillars. This leader will be responsible for all aspects of our food safety program and be the face of the company to regulators, certification groups, vendors, and customers on all topics related to food safety and quality assurance. The role will interact closely with production, fulfillment, sales, merchants, customer service, and other internal functions. This position reports to the VP of Operations.
The ideal candidate would be responsible for day-to-day and onsite activities and would also be expected to promote and develop programs to further the growth of the business, as well as improve the efficiency of key processes and programs. The candidate would be expected to comfortably operate in a high-energy, food manufacturing facility with equal time on the production floor and in an office environment. He/she should have prior experience with Food Quality systems, GMP compliance, COA Program Management, B2B Documentation, Record Keeping protocols, CAPA administration, and planning skills. This leader needs to develop our multi-year strategy to present to SLT and track execution progress.
What you'll do:
- Build and maintain a multi-year roadmap for food safety and quality program to support growth into new areas such as retail, business customers, and in-house flavoring
- Create and facilitate work streams to support business needs for new product introduction including vendor onboarding and ensuring all client-facing product claims reflect vendor specifications
- Build process to have COAs readily available for business customers upon request
- Expand in-house lab capabilities to validate product quality and improve availability of documentation for business customers
- Work closely with business stakeholders to support launching new products and meeting quality and documentation standards for new customers
- Provide guidance and support to cross-functional colleagues in processes required to meet key regulatory and certification requirements
- Ensure our facility and products comply with all regulatory and certification requirements including FDA, USDA, Kosher, Gluten-Free, and Organic standards
- Ensure facility maintains standards to support annual audit for SQF certification under the GFSI umbrella
- Maintain documentation to fulfill compliance requests from auditors, regulators, customers, and management
- Represent Quality/Food Safety Department during audits, regulatory visits, training, and interactions with cross-functional colleagues
- Setup structure to maintain up to date product specifications and nutritional facts information
- Work with QC Technicians to properly document quality monitoring activities and programs
- Direct Recall and Traceability Programs including Mock Recalls
- Work closely with operations leaders (receiving, manufacturing and fulfillment) to ensure FSQA standards are met and to manage CAPAs in the event of a violation
- Direct Employee Training of FSQA Programs, Policies, and Procedures
- Monitor and reduce instances of customer complaints that are related to product quality and operational accuracy
- Escalate challenges, as appropriate, to Operations and Company Leadership
What you'll bring:
- Bachelor's degree required in food science, engineering or related discipline
- Experience working in a food manufacturing facility or related industry
- 10+ years of relevant experience within the Food Quality/Safety/Regulatory space
- Experience with audit compliance and related audit requirements
- Experience with Organic, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO verified programs high preferred
- Knowledge of OSHA protocols in a manufacturing environment
- Self-motivated, proactive thinking with business acumen
- Competency with Electronic Quality Management Systems (EQCMS) along with excellent organizational skills
- Experience in Lean 6 Sigma, 5 Whys, Pareto analysis a plus
- Bilingual- Spanish is a plus.
What we offer
- A high-growth and rewarding role in a foundationally strong and rapidly evolving business
- Annual Salary Range: $160,000 - $170,000 plus annual bonus
- Excellent benefits including a 401K Match
- Paid Maternity, Adoption and Paternity leave
- And all the snacks your heart desires + a 40% employee discount
Base salaries may vary based on factors such as skills, experience and qualifications for the role. Base pay is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include short & long term incentive compensation. In addition, employees are eligible for our standard benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental and 401K match.
EEO STATEMENT
is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.