Jennie Joiner with Forum Group PNW is partnering with a growing manufacturing company in Eugene, Oregon to hire a Director of Food Safety & Quality. This is a newly created leadership role reporting directly to the CEO, offering the opportunity to build, lead, and elevate the food safety and quality function. This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on, servant leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is comfortable working alongside their team. The culture is collaborative, action-oriented, and focused on getting things done.
Position Overview
The Director of Food Safety & Quality is responsible for leading the organization’s food safety and quality strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving product integrity across the business. This role serves as the senior authority on food safety and quality and a key advisor to the leadership team. You will lead a team of 14 and play a critical role in building systems, strengthening processes, and driving a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of 14 including supervisors, administrators, and technicians
• Act as a servant leader and change agent, driving accountability and continuous improvement
• Partner with executive leadership to provide insight on food safety, quality, and compliance risks and opportunities
• Build and manage the food safety and quality budget in partnership with leadership
Food Safety & Quality Systems
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Quality Management System
• Ensure product conformity through validation, approval, and release of materials and finished goods
• Oversee food safety crisis management programs including recalls and business continuity
Compliance & Certifications
• Lead all regulatory compliance efforts including FDA and applicable state requirements
• Own and lead SQF certification and audits
• Support additional certifications such as organic, kosher, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and B Corp initiatives
• Serve as the primary contact for audits and regulatory inspections
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to quality, audit performance, and customer feedback
• Analyze trends and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization
• Lead culture transformation to embed quality ownership across all departments
Supplier & Customer Quality
• Develop and manage supplier quality programs
• Partner with customers to resolve quality issues and improve satisfaction
• Ensure product specifications align with manufacturing capabilities
Training & Development
• Develop and deliver food safety and quality training programs
• Coach cross-functional teams to integrate quality into daily operations
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing quality assurance
• Direct experience leading and passing SQF audits
• Experience supporting or leading B Corp certification initiatives preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a production environment
If you are interested in hearing more about this exciting opportunity, reach out to Jennie Joiner directly or apply on line today!