Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

10+ years of experience 4+ years in pet-specific food manufacturing with direct oversight of co-manufacturers, contract packers, or ingredient suppliers Experience with protein lean points (FOSS) a major plus Proven ability to manage quality and food safety programs across multiple facilities and partners Expertise in building and managing HACCP and GFSI-aligned systems (SQF, BRC, etc.) Strong working knowledge of FDA, USDA, AAFCO, NASC, and FSMA regulations Experience conducting supplier audits and managing corrective actions HACCP certification required PCQI certification strongly preferred Entrepreneurial and resourceful mindset Comfortable taking ownership with limited oversight Excellent communication and project management skills

Build and own the food safety system, including policies and SOPs. Develop and implement HACCP, GMP, Allergen Control, Sanitation, and Recall programs. Align programs with FDA, USDA, and FSMA requirements. Partner with external QA and Operations teams at third-party partners. Lead third-party and supplier audits. Build and manage a risk-based supplier approval program. Establish and maintain product specifications and finished product testing. Collaborate on scale-up and commercialization. Investigate non-conformances and manage CAPAs. Own quality complaints from customers. Develop KPIs and reporting dashboards. Provide training and support on quality expectations. Represent the company during audits and regulatory interactions.