Director Of Quality Assurance

Description

The Director of FSQA will lead and ensure the highest standards of quality are met across all product lines and processes, playing a key role in maintaining the brand’s commitment to safety, innovation, and excellence. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Technical Services, this role will work collaboratively cross-functionally to ensure product quality is built into every stage of the production cycle. 

As a key member of the production team, the Director of FSQA will act with a highly entrepreneurial “roll up your sleeves” mentality. In this capacity, the Director will flex from advisor of quality initiatives to the leadership team to hands on driver of quality excellence.

Essential Functions:

Quality Management & Systems Implementation

· Lead the implementation and management of the Quality Management System (QMS) across two manufacturing locations to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations across multiple countries which Carnivore sells into, including the US FDA, AAFCO, USDA, and Canadian CFIA

· Lead all on-site GFSI, customer, and regulatory audits

· Oversee all quality control and assurance processes, from raw material inspections through final product release, ensuring consistency and compliance.

· Develop and enforce quality standards, specifications, and procedures across all manufacturing and supplier operations.

· Regularly assess and refine quality systems to improve product safety, reduce waste, and ensure efficient production workflows.

· Lead all international certification requirements for worldwide distribution.

Supplier Quality & Collaboration

· Build and maintain strong relationships with Carnivore’s suppliers, conducting regular audits and assessments to ensure adherence to quality standards.

· Collaborate with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure supplier qualifications, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.

· Work with R&D to ensure all raw materials and finished goods meet safety and quality standards prior to commercialization.

· Address and resolve quality-related supplier issues in a timely manner, implementing corrective actions and preventive measures.

Product Quality Assurance & Control

· Lead the development of robust quality metrics and KPIs to monitor product performance, defect rates, and other quality indicators.

· Collaborate with production teams to ensure real-time quality monitoring and swift resolution of quality concerns on the floor.

· Enhance environmental monitoring practices and review data to develop risk-based assessments of plant design, equipment installs, lot control, and process flow.

· Manage all non-conformance processes, including root cause analysis, corrective actions, and customer communication. 

· Ensure all product testing, certification, and documentation are completed and maintained for regulatory and customer compliance.

· Implement raw material and supply chain key performance indicators including updated specifications, incoming raw requirements, and reject criteria.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Championing a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and quality enhancement.

· Identify opportunities in supply chain and current processing methodologies as it relates to finished product quality and necessary verification testing.

· Lead cross-functional quality improvement projects, collaborating with other production and safety related teams to implement best practices.

· Review and optimize current programs as it relates to upcoming equipment installs and on-going plant expansion.

· Drive innovation by leveraging quality data to inform R&D and production on risks, and opportunities.

Team Leadership & Development

· Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing quality team, ensuring continuous development and succession planning for key roles.

· Foster a culture of quality ownership and accountability across the organization, promoting proactive quality management at all levels.

· Ensure that quality staff receive ongoing training and development in the latest quality methodologies, technologies, and regulatory requirements.

· Set clear goals and KPIs for the team, conducting regular performance reviews and coaching to drive results.

Requirements

 Education and Experience: 

· Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field

· Minimum of 10 years of experience within quality in food or beverage manufacturing environment

· Prior experience in pet food manufacturing preferred

Skills and Abi