Description
Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, is seeking to add an experienced QC/QA Director to our growing team.
The QA/QC Director provides leadership, direction, and strategic oversight for Rack & Riddle's Quality Control, Laboratory, and Food Safety programs across all production sites. This role manages and mentors Leads, Supervisors and Managers within the Lab, QC and Environmental, Health & Food Safety teams, ensuring consistency, accountability, and excellence in all quality and compliance functions.
The Director is responsible for developing and maintaining robust systems, protocols, and initiatives that drive product quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Partnering closely with Winemaking, Production, and Operations leadership, this role ensures that all programs-from analytical testing to food safety certifications-align with Rack & Riddle's long-term growth and innovation goals.
This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role, balancing program development, team mentorship, and cross-department collaboration to ensure Rack & Riddle maintains its standing as a leader in quality and safety for premium sparkling wine production.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategic Oversight
Provide direct leadership and mentorship to the Leads, Supervisors, and Managers in Lab, QC, and Environmental, Health & Food Safety, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and accountability across departments. Responsible for oversight of personnel management, hiring, training, development, evaluations and discipline within the Lab and QC Departments. Oversee scheduling, resource allocation, and staffing to ensure consistent support of all production and analytical needs. Set clear expectations, goals, and performance metrics for each team, fostering a culture of quality, safety, and professional development. Facilitates a safety culture of accountability and engagement. Facilitate interdepartmental communication and collaboration to maintain operational efficiency and process consistency. Collaborate with Executive Director of Winemaking and the Executive Leadership Team to define long-term quality goals, KPIs, and department structure to support production growth. Support company innovation and new product development with R&D analytical validation and process control. Participate in strategic planning for facility centralization and expansion initiatives to ensure quality infrastructure meets future needs. Adhere to and provides input on the department budget. Evaluate capital equipment and resource investment proposals for QC and Lab. Quality & Laboratory Management
Ensure all SOPs, CCP monitoring, GMP, and QA documentation are current, accurate, and audit-ready. Manage vendor and supplier quality programs, including incoming materials and packaging verification. Review and approve all final product holds, release documentation, and corrective action/incident reports. Partner with winemaking and production leadership to proactively address quality or process issues. Ongoing development, implementation and management of all aspects of quality programs. Includes maintaining SOP's and product specifications for all products. Evaluation of current practices and implementation of quality assurance program changes. Program Development & Continuous Improvement
Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive QA/QC and Food Safety programs across all sites. Lead cross-functional initiatives in process improvement, risk assessment, and preventive controls. Develop new training and competency programs for QC, Lab, and Food Safety teams. Introduce new analytical technologies, process controls, and automation systems to improve accuracy and efficiency. Drive continuous improvement through data-based decision-making, trend analysis, and performance tracking. Compliance & Safety
Provide oversight, guidance, and mentorship to those responsible for Environmental, Health & Food Safety, ensuring all food safety and compliance programs are effectively managed and continuously improved. Support and review all HACCP, GMP, and CCOF (organic certification) programs. Partner with Compliance Manager, Procurement, and Environmental, Health & Food Safety teams to ensure Rack & Riddle alignment and compliance with all regulatory requirements including but not limited to TTB, FDA, and state requirements. Responsible for management of HACCP & GMP regulations. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and food safety and defense standards issued by the FDA and other federal, state and local agencies involved with food safety activities. Maintain up to date records for compliance with federal, state and HACCP regulations. Responsible for oversight of ongoing employee training activities designed to keep employees knowledgeable and informed of safety, GMP, HACCP and all related SOP's. Work with plant managers and supervisors to assure compliance with SOPs and GMPs. Oversee training of plant operations related to food safety, sanitation and QC procedures and programs and ensure they are being implemented and followed. Ensures that all GMP and sanitation procedures are followed in all areas. Oversee internal and external audit preparation and execution, including client and third-party food safety audits (e.g., SQF, CCOF). Partner with the Compliance Team to identify and implement proactive measures to strengthen compliance and risk mitigation. Ensure expectations and measurable goals are set for food safety programs and regularly reviewed for performance and improvement. Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field (Master's preferred). Minimum 8+ years of experience in winery QA/QC or Laboratory leadership, with at least 3 years at a senior or multi-site management level. Strong knowledge of enological chemistry, microbiology, and analytical instrumentation. Proven success developing and implementing quality systems and food safety programs (HACCP, SQF, ISO, etc.). Demonstrated ability to mentor, motivate, and lead high-performing teams. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in digital data management, quality software, and winery ERP systems (e.g., Vintrace). Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and work safely in production environments.
Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, is seeking to add an experienced QC/QA Director to our growing team.
The QA/QC Director provides leadership, direction, and strategic oversight for Rack & Riddle's Quality Control, Laboratory, and Food Safety programs across all production sites. This role manages and mentors Leads, Supervisors and Managers within the Lab, QC and Environmental, Health & Food Safety teams, ensuring consistency, accountability, and excellence in all quality and compliance functions.
The Director is responsible for developing and maintaining robust systems, protocols, and initiatives that drive product quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Partnering closely with Winemaking, Production, and Operations leadership, this role ensures that all programs-from analytical testing to food safety certifications-align with Rack & Riddle's long-term growth and innovation goals.
This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role, balancing program development, team mentorship, and cross-department collaboration to ensure Rack & Riddle maintains its standing as a leader in quality and safety for premium sparkling wine production.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategic Oversight
Provide direct leadership and mentorship to the Leads, Supervisors, and Managers in Lab, QC, and Environmental, Health & Food Safety, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and accountability across departments. Responsible for oversight of personnel management, hiring, training, development, evaluations and discipline within the Lab and QC Departments. Oversee scheduling, resource allocation, and staffing to ensure consistent support of all production and analytical needs. Set clear expectations, goals, and performance metrics for each team, fostering a culture of quality, safety, and professional development. Facilitates a safety culture of accountability and engagement. Facilitate interdepartmental communication and collaboration to maintain operational efficiency and process consistency. Collaborate with Executive Director of Winemaking and the Executive Leadership Team to define long-term quality goals, KPIs, and department structure to support production growth. Support company innovation and new product development with R&D analytical validation and process control. Participate in strategic planning for facility centralization and expansion initiatives to ensure quality infrastructure meets future needs. Adhere to and provides input on the department budget. Evaluate capital equipment and resource investment proposals for QC and Lab. Quality & Laboratory Management
Ensure all SOPs, CCP monitoring, GMP, and QA documentation are current, accurate, and audit-ready. Manage vendor and supplier quality programs, including incoming materials and packaging verification. Review and approve all final product holds, release documentation, and corrective action/incident reports. Partner with winemaking and production leadership to proactively address quality or process issues. Ongoing development, implementation and management of all aspects of quality programs. Includes maintaining SOP's and product specifications for all products. Evaluation of current practices and implementation of quality assurance program changes. Program Development & Continuous Improvement
Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive QA/QC and Food Safety programs across all sites. Lead cross-functional initiatives in process improvement, risk assessment, and preventive controls. Develop new training and competency programs for QC, Lab, and Food Safety teams. Introduce new analytical technologies, process controls, and automation systems to improve accuracy and efficiency. Drive continuous improvement through data-based decision-making, trend analysis, and performance tracking. Compliance & Safety
Provide oversight, guidance, and mentorship to those responsible for Environmental, Health & Food Safety, ensuring all food safety and compliance programs are effectively managed and continuously improved. Support and review all HACCP, GMP, and CCOF (organic certification) programs. Partner with Compliance Manager, Procurement, and Environmental, Health & Food Safety teams to ensure Rack & Riddle alignment and compliance with all regulatory requirements including but not limited to TTB, FDA, and state requirements. Responsible for management of HACCP & GMP regulations. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and food safety and defense standards issued by the FDA and other federal, state and local agencies involved with food safety activities. Maintain up to date records for compliance with federal, state and HACCP regulations. Responsible for oversight of ongoing employee training activities designed to keep employees knowledgeable and informed of safety, GMP, HACCP and all related SOP's. Work with plant managers and supervisors to assure compliance with SOPs and GMPs. Oversee training of plant operations related to food safety, sanitation and QC procedures and programs and ensure they are being implemented and followed. Ensures that all GMP and sanitation procedures are followed in all areas. Oversee internal and external audit preparation and execution, including client and third-party food safety audits (e.g., SQF, CCOF). Partner with the Compliance Team to identify and implement proactive measures to strengthen compliance and risk mitigation. Ensure expectations and measurable goals are set for food safety programs and regularly reviewed for performance and improvement. Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field (Master's preferred). Minimum 8+ years of experience in winery QA/QC or Laboratory leadership, with at least 3 years at a senior or multi-site management level. Strong knowledge of enological chemistry, microbiology, and analytical instrumentation. Proven success developing and implementing quality systems and food safety programs (HACCP, SQF, ISO, etc.). Demonstrated ability to mentor, motivate, and lead high-performing teams. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in digital data management, quality software, and winery ERP systems (e.g., Vintrace). Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and work safely in production environments.