Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance

House of Flavors Manufacturing is a 70 year old food processing and packaging company producing private label ice cream, sherbet and sorbets for leading store chains and brands. Our 230 plus employees churn out over 25 million gallons of high quality product to the delight of our customers. Our success servicing our customer’s demanding needs is driving business growth. Our work culture, production process and technology continuous improvement initiatives are delivering success. We are looking to add key leadership talent to our Senior Leadership Team. You can be a part of this positive change, growth and success.

Reporting to the COO, you will provide direction and leadership in four key areas of the business – Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation and Product Development. This is a new role and requires someone with vision who can shape it, drive positive change and improved performance. You will lead through a team of department Managers, Food Science professionals and Quality Technicians, but will need to be able to get excited about rolling up your sleeves and really pitching in.

For consideration you will need to have demonstrated a significant track record of both strategic and tactical success in designing and executing highly effective Quality Management Systems and Food Safety GMP processes. You will need demonstrated successful experience setting and achieving KPIs through effective systems and processes and people strategy preferably in a SQF Level III food manufacturing environment. Successful experience in an Ice Cream or other dairy product operation would be preferred. We are also looking for someone with skills and knowledge in driving quality improvement through data driven processes. Demonstrated success applying lean principles and techniques is important. Relevant advanced college degree achievement in Food Science or other scientific discipline would give you priority consideration.

We offer competitive pay, profit sharing bonus and a benefits program that includes multiple insurance coverages, 401K with match and yes, free ice cream. Relocation assistance can be available. The Ludington area offers a vibrant small town Lake Michigan resort feel or you can choose a more rural lifestyle right close by. Apply today. Be a part of a growing improving industry leader.

House of Flavors, Inc. - Job Description

JOB TITLE: Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

SUMMARY: Providing safe and quality food is the job of all House of Flavors employees. The Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, provides direction for designing and driving the systems and processes and building effective teams that allow the Product Development, Quality Assurance, Sanitation and Food Safety Departments to achieve their goals. The Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance is accountable for customer and consumer satisfaction with the quality of the food product and full compliance with SQF, regulatory and customer standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Devises and executes strategic plans to enhance the companys ability to achieve goals related to food product and process, particularly R&D, Quality Systems, Sanitation and Food Safety. Ensures that the organization has the systems, knowledge, capabilities and practices to comply with all internal Product Development, Quality Assurance and Food Safety procedures in addition to all pertinent FDA and SQF requirements.

1. Selects and builds a high quality, high performing team. This is accomplished through the proper selection and assignment, on-boarding, training and coaching of department leaders, professionals and support employees according to all company values, policies and procedures.

1. Builds an accountable work culture within the team and across the organization that drives positive employee engagement leading to high performance, commitment and retention. Ensures the companys employment practices are executed fairly and consistently.

1. Establishes and cascades strategically relevant KPIs. Sets expectations and measures performance against KPIs to evaluate and reward effectiveness. Sets course corrections and initiates consequences and performance improvement plans as needed. Executes an effective management system that invites collaborative goal setting and provides communication, feedback and support.

1. Interfaces across the organization, with customers, regulatory agencies and certification bodies to build strong relationships and address issues identified for resolution or improvement.

1. Identifies and develops management and leadership talent. Assesses team members competencies and potential and initiates development plans that allow them to thrive in their role.

1. Drive continuous improvement by analyzing operational performance, benchmarking other high performing organizations and proposing change. This also includes following up on all input and suggestions and then applying root cause problem solving to resolve issues.

1. Completes all other duties as assigned, including working with the COO and other company leaders to enhance the overall profitability of the organization.

These are not the only duties and responsibilities that the Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance may be asked to perform, but it is a fair representation of the general duties that are required on a day-to-day basis.

This document may be subject to change based on the needs of the business.

I understand that as I perform these duties, I am an at-will employee of House of Flavors.

House of Flavors, Inc.

Job Qualifications Sheet

Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to successfully and consistently perform each essential duty and responsibility to the appropriate company standard. 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:

Completion of BS degree in Food Science or related science or engineering discipline. An advanced degree is preferred. A significant track record of success providing leadership in a food manufacturing and packaging environment preferably with Ice Cream or Dairy products. Successful experience working with regulators and auditors. Successful application of SQF Level 3 expertise preferred. Successful work achievement with a career progression that demonstrates dedication and commitment, positive influencing and motivating, effective strategic level leadership and driving continuous improvement and change. Successful track record designing processes to drive root cause problem solving, quality improvement and continuous process improvement. Root Cause Problem Solving and Black belt certifications preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, write, follow and communicate complex expectations and instructions. Ability to interpret written instructions and effectively communicate them verbally to employees on an individual or group basis. Ability to draft and correspond to short documents. Ability to present information in a group setting to management, customers or vendors when necessary.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute percentages and ratios. Ability to understand and do complex calculations of weights and measures.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply intellectual acuity and common sense understanding to devise and carry out written and/or verbal instructions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to interpret employee conflicts or concerns, determine the problem, and move employees toward solutions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to ambulate around and across all of the organizations properties as well as at suppliers and customers locations. The constant use of hands and arms during this time including lifting, pulling, reaching, and fine manipulation may be required. The use of lab instruments and tools requiring focus and fine motor skills is occasionally required. The employee may be required to stoop, crouch, climb, kneel or work in tight places on an occasional basis. The employee is required to talk and hear.

The employee must be able to lift up to 10 pounds continuously and 25 pounds occasionally during the work time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works in a combination of office, manufacturing and product storage environments. In the manufacturing environment they will encounter continuously a wet or humid environment where floors are slippery and splashing water , ice cream ingredients including allergens, and sanitation solution is frequently present.

The employee may work around moving mechanical components and is regularly exposed to high levels of noise. PPE and Safety equipment may be required.

COMMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

While working in the lab and food production spaces the employee is required to wear proper apparel, non-slip rubber boots that can withstand water, food products and chemical and a hairnet and/or beard net as appropriate. Occasionally the use of latex gloves, ear plugs and protective eyewear is required. An approved uniform and boots are available and provided by the company. First aid training is preferred.