Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Fresh & Ready Foods

Position Title: [[title]]

Pay Grade: 20

Reports to: Division President

Salary: $175,000 - $200,000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: Annual bonus potential, monthly car allowance

Growth. Opportunity. Excellence.

Fresh & Ready Food Group is a member of Canteen. Canteen sets the national standard for excellence in automated retail, and EVERY segment of our business is thriving. We employ the best team in the industry and their dedication, collaboration and passion fuel our growth . YOU bring enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. TOGETHER we’ll continue transforming the micro-market, dining, coffee, and vending industry.

Come grow with us. We are Canteen.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email [email protected].

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance provides leadership, direction, and guidance for Safe Food Quality (SFQ) through programs and systems that protect our consumers, our customers, and our brands. Provide leadership, direction, and support to the food safety and quality function, sanitation, and operations that deliver ongoing and consistent compliance to corporate, customer, and regulatory expectations. Deliver results through sustainable processes and a culture of continuous improvement that reinforces Fresh and Ready Foods Safety and Quality Values while ensuring compliance with regulations and policies. This is a hands-on, customer facing operational leadership role reporting into the Division President. Considered candidates may live in the Central or Eastern U.S.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, lead, communicate and implement strategic SQF, HACCP and Preventive Controls programs and strategies across our facilities, supply chain, suppliers, and co-manufacturers, including oversight of GFSI third-party audit programs, updates, and certifications
• Provide required subject matter expertise for SQF processes, practices, and regulatory compliance including FSMA, GFSI Benchmarked Food Standards, Sanitation, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), positioning the company as an industry leader in SQF
• Create and drive a culture of continuous improvement in the areas of SQF by proactively managing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to manage risk and drive improvement
• Create and enforce robust environmental monitoring programs at our facilities to ensure SQF compliance and the advancement of product safety for our consumers
• Develop and maintain working relationships with appropriate regulatory agencies, working as a reputable senior liaison for Food Safety and Quality matters 
• Adheres to company GMP’s (good manufacturing practices), food and employee safety procedures, and all other quality processes
• Lead the Corporate Food Safety effort in all facilities, including developing strategies, objectives, and priorities in collaboration with Executive leadership
• Develop and maintain a strong technical knowledge of all products produced and sourced, both internally and externally in our supply chain
• Ensure food safety and quality expectations are built into key cross-functional processes from receiving through distribution.  Works closely with COO, Site Leaders, and team in collaboration for new equipment sanitary design
• Ensure Labeling Regulatory Compliance, Vendor Quality Management, SPC (statistical process control), as well as support for the Commercial and R&D teams
• Continually prepare the organization for heightened regulatory expectations by developing enhanced quality and food safety programs across the supply chain  
• Represent the Food Safety and Quality function to all business teams and serve as a conduit for information. Improve visibility to food safety and quality performance across the organization  
• Interact effectively at all levels of the organization, influence key stakeholders and customers to support the business, and constructively manage conflict

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Indirect responsibilities for hiring, training, supervising, developing, and mentoring Quality Managers and Supervisors
• Ensures effective safety procedures, reporting tools, and record-keeping are managed
• Provide support, in the form of coaching and mentoring, to facility food safety and quality teams to ensure a culture consistent with Fresh and Ready Foods core values and purpose.   
• Identify areas of opportunity or concern related to Food Safety and Quality and develop appropriate solutions to address those concerns
• Provide facility, equipment, and personnel practice inspection services on a routine basis within Fresh and Ready Foods facilities to identify and correct potential hazards related to SQF policy and regulatory compliance

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in microbiology, food science, engineering, or related field
• 15 + years of food manufacturing industry experience (5+ years of director/executive level)
• Candidates must possess a strong working knowledge and have direct experience in adherence with agricultural food production and manufacturing best practices.
• Knowledge of current SGF trends and programs including GFSI Food Standards, HACCP, GMPs, GAPs, and audit processes, with Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training required

Desirable Characteristics:

• Exhibit positive energy and contribute as a change agent to the organization
• Highly motivated, hands-on, results driven, forward thinking professional who can thrive in a team-oriented environment
• Confidence, integrity, and an autonomous mindset with the ability to work independently and strive to win, even in challenging environments

Apply to Canteen today!

Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA

Click Here To Learn More About The Compass Story

Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:1516711

Fresh & Ready Foods

ERIN S PRINDLE