Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety

The Blount family has been in the food business since 1880. Our product Line includes refrigerated and frozen gourmet soups, side dishes and entrees for food service and retail. The Company, headquartered in Fall River, MA, is the largest producer of clam chowder in New England and the largest manufacturer of Lobster bisque in the country.

This position reports to the VP of Quality and Food Safety. A key role is development and enhancement of the food safety and Quality Plans to meet the expanding needs of the Business. An important role is development and management of our Supplier program and finished product distribution quality. Providing rapid response to retail and food service quality issues is critical in providing excellent customer service. The facilities produce USDA and FDA products which include RTE, NRTE, and seafood, Organic, Gluten Free and Halal. This position Implements and manages programs to maintain an acceptable level of product quality and safety as established by regulatory and customer requirements. Works to eliminate defects in new or existing products. Utilizes essential product quality and food safety procedures, as well as providing training in these procedures to quality and production staff.

This position, with the VP of Quality and Food Safety, acts as the subject matter expert on behalf of the Company, both internally and externally, for quality and food safety issues while protecting the brands of the organization. Fosters a collaborative relationship among other functional areas (Operations, Sales, Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Purchasing), while maintaining the status as the independent authority on quality assurance and food safety. Leads a staff that is results oriented and driven to serve their internal and external customers. Develops and implements quality and food safety strategy and manages those systems and programs in order to meet corporate goals and objectives. Expected to participate in the innovation process to ensure complete quality and food safety risk analysis; validate compliance documentation. Effectively manage and develop Quality and food safety teams. Corporate SQF leader to assure/maintain SQF certification as well as assure ongoing compliance in Organic, Halal certifications, Gluten Free. Develop benchmarking and metrics for Company food safety and quality assurance performance through interaction with industry peers.

* Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; and at least 10 years related work experience * Ready To Eat/ Not Ready Eat experience important * Experience in working & managing in a USDA facility and the ability to influence others to deliver results. * H.A.C.C.P. Certification, SQF Practitioner Certification. * This position requires a valid driver’s license, pre-employment and annual screening of Motor Vehicle Record and personal automobile insurance coverage in accordance with the Blount Fine Foods Employee Handbook. Ability to travel as needed. * Excellent people management skills and experience in the management of quality systems and technical services functions. * Solid understanding of Title 21 of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act including a good understanding of the new requirements coming from the Food Safety Modernization Act. * Knowledge of crisis management processes, including the effective management of product recalls. * Demonstrated efficiency in developing and leading people and teams. Thinking and acting strategically. * Effective trainer of QA staff and also plant personnel. * Experience and working knowledge of continuous improvement processes such as Lean or Six-Sigma. * Ability to effectively collaborate with the Company executive team and senior leadership at suppliers and customers. **Qualifications** **Education** Preferred * Bachelors or better. **Experience** Preferred * 2 years: Managing in a USDA Facility