Vice President of Food Safety and Quality

Summary The Vice President of Food Safety & Quality (FS&Q) will provide executive leadership and strategic direction for food/feed safety, animal welfare, and sustainability at Daybreak Foods, Inc., and all associated entities. Function as the primary point of contact for regulatory and compliance issues; and represent Daybreak Foods to industry associations and regulatory bodies. Provide leadership and guidance to auditing, lead the creation, implementation, and administration of department programs. These programs include monitoring state and federal regulations that affect the company and ensure that changes are implemented in affected departments. Align department goals and objectives with company model. Foster confidence with customers via anticipation and fulfillment of expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies, programs, systems, and processes related to food safety, quality assurance, safe feed, sustainability, and animal welfare
• Direct Technical Services staff in the implementation and continuous evaluation of such programs, systems, and strategies
• Advise the President, CPO, Vice President of Operations, CFO, Directors of Operation, and General Managers regarding technical services issues
• Ensure that product safety and quality parameters in food processing and feed production comply with company standards and customer requirements
• Function as primary customer contact for questions, complaints, problem resolution, and collaboration
• Ensure that all sites comply with applicable regulations and standards including SQF, regulatory HACCP, Safe Egg Rule, animal welfare standards.
• Represent Daybreak Foods at egg and poultry industry associations
• Represent Daybreak Foods to other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) related to food safety, quality, animal welfare, biosecurity, animal health, sustainability, or the egg industry in general
• Keep abreast of regulations and case law relating to Technical Services and modify existing systems, processes, and procedures to reflect regulatory changes and communicate changes to all affected stakeholders
• Work Technical Services Directors to generate corporate-wide Standard Operating Procedures related to food safety, food quality, feed safety, animal health and welfare, biosecurity, sustainability, and government regulation
• Provide guidance and work collaboratively with direct reports and facility management in Technical Services matters
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Microbiology, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10-15 years of progressive experience in food safety and quality roles, including at least 5 years in executive leadership.
• Knowledge of egg production, grading, and processing operations, with strong expertise in Salmonella prevention and biosecurity.
• Safe Quality Food (SQF) Practitioner certification preferred
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification preferred
• Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) designation preferred
• American Society of Quality (ASQ) certification preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of feed safety regulations and guidelines
• Advanced knowledge of Safe Quality Food (SQF) guidelines
• Advanced knowledge of food processing systems and procedures
• Ability to skillfully balance multiple priorities in multiple disciplines and from multiple locations
• Ability to think and execute independently, a hands-on self-starter
• Ability to write, edit and analyze standard operating procedures
• Polished and flexible oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional leadership and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications

Physical Demands
Sit, use keyboard, use fine manipulation with hands and fingers. Lift up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

Clean, temperature-controlled environment. Noise level is low. No personal protective equipment needed.