Director of Food Safety, Quality & Sanitation
3 days ago
Louisville
Position Summary The Director of Food Safety, Quality & Sanitation is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of Stellar Snacks’ food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and sanitation programs across all manufacturing locations. This role owns enterprise-wide food safety and quality systems and has direct oversight of the Sanitation function to ensure hygienic facility and equipment conditions that support safe, high-quality product manufacturing. The Director serves as the company’s food safety authority with regulators, certifying bodies, customers, and executive leadership, while driving a strong, sustainable food safety and sanitation culture. This position requires frequent travel between Nevada and Kentucky, with additional travel for audits, customer engagements, and supplier oversight. Key Responsibilities Executive Leadership & Strategy • Set and execute the enterprise-wide food safety, quality, and sanitation strategy aligned with Stellar Snacks’ business objectives and growth plans., • Serve as a member of the extended leadership team, providing risk-based insight and executive guidance on food safety, quality, and sanitation risks and opportunities., • Champion a consistent, best-in-class food safety and sanitation culture across all facilities and departments., • Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of all food safety and sanitation programs, including HACCP, HARPC, FSMA, GMPs, SSOPs, allergen controls, sanitation standard operating procedures, and environmental monitoring programs., • Provide direct oversight of the Sanitation department, including sanitation staffing models, cleaning schedules, chemical programs, and equipment hygiene standards., • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (FDA, USDA, FSMA)., • Lead all GFSI certifications and audits (e.g., SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000), customer audits, and regulatory inspections, with strong sanitation readiness and performance., • Establish standardized quality and sanitation management systems across all manufacturing sites to ensure safe, consistent, and compliant product outcomes., • Partner closely with Operations and Maintenance to ensure sanitation practices support equipment reliability, allergen control, and downtime reduction., • Analyze quality, sanitation, and environmental monitoring data to identify trends, root causes, and continuous improvement opportunities., • Own the company’s recall, traceability, and crisis management programs; lead mock recalls and verification activities., • Direct investigations into food safety incidents, sanitation failures, environmental positives, customer complaints, and quality non-conformances., • Ensure robust corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes are implemented with accountability, effectiveness verification, and documentation., • Build, lead, and develop high-performing Food Safety, Quality, and Sanitation teams across multiple manufacturing sites., • Ensure sanitation teams are properly trained in SSOPs, chemical handling, hygienic design, allergen changeovers, and environmental controls., • Recruit, mentor, and develop future leaders within Quality, Food Safety, and Sanitation functions., • Establish enterprise-wide training programs to reinforce sanitation discipline and food safety accountability at all levels of the organization. Education & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field., • Minimum 10 years of experience in food manufacturing, with 5–7 years in senior leadership roles overseeing food safety, quality, and sanitation operations., • Proven experience leading multi-site sanitation and hygienic design programs within food manufacturing environments., • Expert knowledge of FDA, USDA, FSMA, GFSI standards, and sanitation best practices., • Strong executive presence with the ability to influence operational, maintenance, and leadership teams., • Advanced analytical, root cause analysis, and risk assessment skills., • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities., • SQF Practitioner, • PCQI, • HACCP Certification, • Office, manufacturing floor, and sanitation oversight environments., • Frequent travel required between Nevada and Kentucky manufacturing facilities., • Additional travel for audits, customer engagements, supplier visits, and regulatory meetings (approximately 30–40%).