Director, SC Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) - Dairy & Coffee Portfolio

Overview

Location: Field Support Area – Available sites: Plano, Texas; Purchase, New Jersey; Chicago, IllinoisTravel Requirements: 50%+ across U.S. sites

 

The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Director is responsible for ensuring food safety, product and packaging quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer satisfaction across the supply chain in their assigned area, covering both manufacturing and distribution sites. This role provides subject matter expertise in dairy and coffee, supporting innovation and operational excellence while maintaining an unwavering commitment to Food Safety & Quality.

 

Working closely with the Sr. Director FSQ and Vice President, the FSQ Director helps shape strategy, programs, and governance while driving continuous improvement of Food Safety & Quality systems. This includes reviewing current FSQ performance, adapting to evolving regulations, and responding to customer expectations.

 

The FSQ Director delivers results through servant leadership, technical guidance, capability building, and the implementation of robust standards, tools, and standardized procedures. They provide support to field locations—including warehouses and plant operations—while collaborating with cross-functional partners. Additionally, the Director mentors and develops their direct reports, ensuring strong alignment with departmental initiatives and reinforcing the company’s high FSQ standards and consumer expectations.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Protect the PepsiCo trademark by ensuring product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across all operations.
• Lead Food Safety & Quality initiatives by coaching and supporting employees who work directly with manufacturing plants and distribution warehouses.
• Monitor, report, and drive improvements in FSQ performance across plants and warehouses, including:
• Trade program compliance
• Product and package quality
• Consumer quality metrics
• Plant quality standards
• Quality Audit Systems (QAS) compliance
• Food Safety & Quality Systems compliance
• Achieve and maintain Food Safety Management System certification and ensure zero product recalls.
• Develop and implement programs and tools to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Coach and train personnel to strengthen leadership, technical expertise, and effective use of FSQ systems and tools.
• Establish strong communication channels with employees, plants, divisions, sectors, global FSQ teams (COBO, FOBO), co-packers, joint ventures, and warehouse operations.
• Support the development and deployment of FSQ strategy across units, pods, warehouse operations, corporate entities, and plant operations.
• Assess field capabilities and create action plans to address weaknesses and leverage strengths.
• Conduct proactive assessments and governance reviews to ensure compliance with FSQ requirements.
• Monitor sanitation and microbiological compliance and respond to issues promptly.
• Ensure laboratory standards are properly assessed, implemented, and maintained.
• Collaborate with colleagues to design and execute strategies for beverage sector standardization.

 

 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

 

Technical Skills

• Extensive technical knowledge of dairy beverage industry processes.
• Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) Certification.
• Aseptic and Better Process Control Certification.
• Retort BPCS Certification.
• HACCP Certification.
• Food Defense Intentional Adulteration Qualified Individual Certification.
• PCQI Lead Instructor Certification.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Advanced analytical capability with a solid understanding of statistics and ability to coach statistical principles.
• Background in microbiology and sanitation.
• Deep knowledge of GMP requirements and beverage industry processes.
• Ability to lead and influence others through technical expertise.
• Strong data-driven decision-making skills, using metrics and facts to drive change.
• Ability to challenge operational paradigms through technical knowledge.
• Knowledge of coffee processing (preferred).

Leadership Skills

• Excellent communication a