Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Location:
Chicago (on-site) Reports to:
VP of Operations Department:
Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Status:
Exempt
Position Summary We are seeking a hands-on and strategic
Director of Food Safety & QA
to lead the FSQA function. This role provides operational leadership and technical direction to ensure quality, food safety, and analytical programs are effective, compliant, and continuously improving. The director will manage a high-performing team, oversee departmental budgets, and serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, suppliers, and customers. Key Responsibilities Serve as site food safety leader and provide technical direction for QA systems and programs. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, GFSI standards, and customer expectations. Identify opportunities and lead initiatives to improve quality, safety, and operational processes. Coach, mentor, and develop the FSQA team to maintain technical expertise and high performance. Oversee offsite warehouse compliance, conducting audits as needed. Provide subject matter expertise on sanitation practices and operational efficiency. Interact with regulatory inspectors, resolving issues promptly and effectively. Direct in-process quality control, including testing raw materials and finished goods. Track and report FSQA performance using KPIs and quality metrics. Lead investigations of customer complaints and manage internal/external audits. Verify adherence to HACCP, food safety programs, SOPs, and GMPs. Manage departmental budget and expenditures. Support cross-functional initiatives, capital projects, and continuous improvement efforts. Supervisory Responsibilities Lead FSQA team hiring, onboarding, and talent development. Set clear performance standards and participate in the performance management process. Represent FSQA in director-level meetings and strategic initiatives. Coach junior QA staff on technical and professional development. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field. 7–10 years of progressive QA and food processing experience, including management. In-depth knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations, GFSI standards, and industry best practices. HACCP and PCQI certification required. Proficiency in QA software and reporting tools. Strong written/verbal communication and decision-making skills. Salary & Compensation Salary Range:
$150,000 – $175,000 per year Bonus:
Annual discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance Additional compensation offerings, if any, will be based on company and/or individual performance Benefits Personal Time Off (PTO) is offered on an accrual basis up to 184 hours per year, 13 Paid Holidays, and up to 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave. PTO and holiday hours are prorated based on hire date within the calendar year. Paid Sick Leave where applicable by State law Benefit offerings for full-time employment include medical, dental, vision, term life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, commuter benefits, wellness plans, and a 401(k) plan or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan Competencies Leading Change:
Drive initiatives, set goals, and hold teams accountable for results. Strategic Thinking:
Develop and implement strategies to achieve organizational vision. Building Common Purpose:
Collaborate with colleagues and suppliers to achieve shared goals. Results Oriented:
Focus on outcomes while maintaining accountability and performance standards. Analytical Thinking:
Use qualitative and quantitative data to solve problems and make decisions.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to
https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy . The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Chicago (on-site) Reports to:
VP of Operations Department:
Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Status:
Exempt
Position Summary We are seeking a hands-on and strategic
Director of Food Safety & QA
to lead the FSQA function. This role provides operational leadership and technical direction to ensure quality, food safety, and analytical programs are effective, compliant, and continuously improving. The director will manage a high-performing team, oversee departmental budgets, and serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, suppliers, and customers. Key Responsibilities Serve as site food safety leader and provide technical direction for QA systems and programs. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, GFSI standards, and customer expectations. Identify opportunities and lead initiatives to improve quality, safety, and operational processes. Coach, mentor, and develop the FSQA team to maintain technical expertise and high performance. Oversee offsite warehouse compliance, conducting audits as needed. Provide subject matter expertise on sanitation practices and operational efficiency. Interact with regulatory inspectors, resolving issues promptly and effectively. Direct in-process quality control, including testing raw materials and finished goods. Track and report FSQA performance using KPIs and quality metrics. Lead investigations of customer complaints and manage internal/external audits. Verify adherence to HACCP, food safety programs, SOPs, and GMPs. Manage departmental budget and expenditures. Support cross-functional initiatives, capital projects, and continuous improvement efforts. Supervisory Responsibilities Lead FSQA team hiring, onboarding, and talent development. Set clear performance standards and participate in the performance management process. Represent FSQA in director-level meetings and strategic initiatives. Coach junior QA staff on technical and professional development. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field. 7–10 years of progressive QA and food processing experience, including management. In-depth knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations, GFSI standards, and industry best practices. HACCP and PCQI certification required. Proficiency in QA software and reporting tools. Strong written/verbal communication and decision-making skills. Salary & Compensation Salary Range:
$150,000 – $175,000 per year Bonus:
Annual discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance Additional compensation offerings, if any, will be based on company and/or individual performance Benefits Personal Time Off (PTO) is offered on an accrual basis up to 184 hours per year, 13 Paid Holidays, and up to 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave. PTO and holiday hours are prorated based on hire date within the calendar year. Paid Sick Leave where applicable by State law Benefit offerings for full-time employment include medical, dental, vision, term life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, commuter benefits, wellness plans, and a 401(k) plan or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan Competencies Leading Change:
Drive initiatives, set goals, and hold teams accountable for results. Strategic Thinking:
Develop and implement strategies to achieve organizational vision. Building Common Purpose:
Collaborate with colleagues and suppliers to achieve shared goals. Results Oriented:
Focus on outcomes while maintaining accountability and performance standards. Analytical Thinking:
Use qualitative and quantitative data to solve problems and make decisions.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to
https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy . The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance