Director, Quality & Food Safety NA

Where Conviviality is at work.  

North American Distillers (NADL) is where we manufacture our award-winning American Whiskeys such as Jefferson’s, Rabbit Hole, TX Whiskey, Skrewball, and Smooth Ambler.  NADL is part of Pernod Ricard, a global premium spirits and wine company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, and The Glenlivet® Scotch whiskey, as well as many more superior wines and exquisite champagnes! 

Working at NADL is all about igniting conviviality in all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialité…it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard.  

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business! 

The salary range for this role, based in Fort Smith, is $146,800.00 to $183,500.00. The range will vary if outside of this location.  Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary:

As a key member of the global and regional leadership team, the incumbent will engage with Food Safety/Quality leaders globally, influencing strong leadership and deep expertise to deploy standards, assess performance and drive continuous improvement. They will do so in a matrixed environment. They will provide clear communication updates to senior leadership.

The Quality and Food Safety Director operates in close alignment with the Global Quality Director to ensure that regional strategies and initiatives are consistent with global quality standards and objectives. While the regional role focuses on execution and compliance within specific markets, it also contributes valuable local insights to help shape and refine global policies

The Director of Quality and Food Safety is a critical leadership role and the key subject matter expert on food safety accountable for the Food Safety programs regionally. This includes leading key strategies to drive and sustain a transformation in food safety.

The incumbent will bring credible expertise, providing leadership and oversight for Food Safety, including HACCP, micro risk assessments, thermal validation, allergen management, foreign material controls, capability development and culture.

The successful incumbent will ensure clear understanding of food safety and quality requirements and expectations at all levels across the region with the authority to hold teams accountable to meet the standards and expectations that assures the food safety and quality of products produced.

She or he shall ensure the food safety and quality systems directly and positively affect food safety through analysis of results and regular reviews with regional teams. They will ensure global standards and policies are fit for purpose and meet not only Pernod Ricard requirements, but also those of key customers and regulators. This role will be critical in ensuring that Pernod Ricard is a leader in food safety and quality.

This role will be responsible for providing direction on end to end quality at the regional level from Supplier Quality Management to Quality Crisis Management. He/she will be responsible for the implementation of global quality strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Food Safety Strategy & Governance

• Drive transformation and strategic direction of global food safety programs.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive food safety policies and standards, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
• Lead the Quality Management System, including Food Safety Management Systems such as HACCP, VACCP, and TACCP.
• Provide governance for global CAPA processes to ensure effectiveness and validation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for food safety crises, risk assessments, and incident management.
• Lead internal risk assessments and provide expert recommendations for product disposition and food safety risk mitigation.
• Manage regulatory affairs for both the liquid and packaging.

2. Program Oversight, Risk Mitigation &