Food Safety & Quality Role

About the Company

Badia Spices is seeking an experienced Food Safety & Quality Leader to own and strengthen our food safety and quality systems across manufacturing and distribution operations. This role is

critical to maintaining SQF certification, regulatory compliance, and brand integrity while supporting continued growth.

About the Role

This role is critical to maintaining SQF certification, regulatory compliance, and brand integrity while supporting continued growth.

Responsibilities

SQF & Regulatory Audit Leadership

• Lead and coordinate SQF recertification audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.
• Serve as the primary company contact for all food safety and quality audits.
• Direct audit preparation activities, conduct internal audits, and ensure audit readiness at all times.
• Lead corrective action development and ensure timely, sustainable closure of findings.
• Maintain a strong audit record with no major findings.

Food Safety & Quality Systems Leadership

• Own and manage the SQF Food Safety System across all applicable facilities.
• Ensure programs are fully documented, effectively implemented, and continuously improved.
• Interpret SQF requirements and provide expert guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Maintain audit-ready status across manufacturing and distribution operations.

Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Ensure compliance with FSMA, cGMPs, USDA regulations (as applicable), state and local regulatory requirements, and customer and retailer food safety standards.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively adapt internal programs to maintain compliance.
• Act as the internal authority on regulatory interpretation and risk exposure.

Quality Assurance & Product Integrity

• Oversee quality systems covering raw material and finished goods specifications, supplier approval, labeling compliance, traceability, allergen control, sanitation controls, and food defense programs.
• Partner closely with Operations, Procurement, and R&D to ensure product integrity and consistency across the supply chain.
• Drive risk mitigation strategies to protect brand reputation.

Risk Management & Preventive Controls

• Lead hazard analyses and preventive control programs.
• Oversee risk assessments and root cause investigations.
• Ensure CAPA processes are robust, data-driven, and embedded into daily operations.
• Proactively identify food safety and quality risks and implement preventive solutions before escalation.

Training & Food Safety Culture

• Develop and deliver food safety and quality training programs across all organizational levels.
• Build and sustain a strong food safety culture grounded in accountability and ownership.
• Ensure leadership engagement and cross-functional alignment in food safety priorities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Certified SQF Practitioner.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.
• 8 years of progressive leadership experience in food safety and quality within food manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading SQF certification audits and regulatory inspections.
• Strong working knowledge of FSMA, cGMPs, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Experience managing multi-site food safety programs.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• Experience in spice, seasoning, or ingredient manufacturing.
• HACCP certification.
• Experience working with major retail or national customer audit requirements.