Regional Director of Quality
Louis Dreyfus Company B.V., Kansas City, MO, United States
Location: Kansas City, MO, United States of America
Job Reference: JR0096109
Function: Operations, Engineering and Maintenance
About Louis Dreyfus Company
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, active in over 100 countries and employing approximately 18,000 people globally.
Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions
Assist in managing the functions of the QA procedures and personnel at each location within North America.
Administer QA policies, procedures and programs within North America.
Develop and administer a continuous improvement plan for both QA procedures and personnel.
Work with the QA staff region‑wide to ensure proper certifications and training.
Coordinate with local plant laboratory personnel to review operations for potential process or procedural improvements to increase yields and savings.
Manage third‑party laboratory relationships.
Develop and maintain a library of customer Statements for all NA sites, standardizing as much as possible in conjunction with regional and facility QA managers and legal.
Transmit standard Statements and completed questionnaires to customers after QA manager review.
Receive starting‑materials nonconformance reports and enter them into the ISN Procurement database for supplier scorecards.
Coordinate creation and approval process for Starting Materials specifications and maintain in regional SharePoint libraries.
Work with Procurement to review submitted Supplier Approval documents and maintain a supplier qualification library.
Review supplier material specifications and maintain documents; conduct on‑site audits of third‑party facilities.
Create and maintain animal feed labels according to AAFCO and state regulations, coordinating with IT and tax teams.
Keep regulatory registrations related to food safety updated (e.g., FDA Facility Registrations).
Perform final corporate review of Customer Specification reviews after commercial and facility reviews.
Review facility trial protocols and cost analyses for accuracy and justification.
Serve as a resource on LIMS software.
Liaise with LDC Commercial teams, customer procurement and quality staff for audit questions, documentation concerns, and product approval process questions.
Liaise with LDC Quality staff worldwide to develop best practices and foster consistency across documentation sets for food and feed products.
Act as a regional resource on new procedures, methods and regulatory requirements for quality assurance; champion quality efforts by training non‑QC staff on best practices.
Perform additional projects and duties as assigned.
Education, Professional Certifications and Licenses
Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or a related discipline.
Advanced degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or a related discipline (preferred).
Certified Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for Human Foods (FDA curriculum).
Certified PCQA for Animal Foods (FDA curriculum).
Certification in auditing for a GFSI food safety scheme (e.g., FSSC 22000, SQF, BRC).
Non‑commercial Pest Control Applicator license (preferred).
Experience
10+ years in the food industry and food manufacturing.
6+ years of quality assurance and supervisory experience.
Direct involvement in managing cross‑location projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Quality Management System and Good Manufacturing Practices audit experience.
Biofuels production experience or familiarity.
Active membership in industry associations (NGFA, NAEGA, ISEO, NOPA, IFT).
FDA Food Facility Registration.
FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule, Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and Food Defense Rule knowledge.
Food and feed labeling regulations knowledge.
Food/Feed Integrated Pest Management.
Microbiological control in human and animal food.
Process validation experience.
Laboratory Information Management Systems experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Familiarity with analytical standards (ASTM, AOCS, AOAC, AACC, USP, NSF).
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Negotiation and influence skills.
Knowledge of agricultural production, manufacturing, refining and processing industries.
Knowledge of current industry best practices and governmental regulations.
Knowledge of chemistry and lab testing techniques.
Ability to train, instruct and motivate employees.
Conflict resolution, problem solving, workload prioritization and decision‑making skills.
Working Conditions
Primarily a climate‑controlled office environment with occasional visits to industrial operations areas, exposing workers to temperature variations, gases, vapors, dust, odors, wet floors and high noise levels.
Stair climbing may be required.
Travel 25‑50% to sites for audits.
Occasional extension of regular working hours for time‑sensitive projects or emergencies.
Decision Making/Accountability
Ability to work unsupervised and make critical decisions on QA procedures and processes with direct impact on budgets, profitability and food safety/quality.
Capability to work in a fast‑paced environment with multiple management levels to recommend QA results and process improvements.
Active member of the facility SHE program, ensuring safety policies and training are implemented and unsafe conditions remedied promptly.
What We Offer
Comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, employee assistance, life insurance, disability).
401(k) with company match.
Family‑friendly benefits (childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family‑building benefits).
Paid Time Off and paid holidays.
Flexible work options (not applicable to all roles).
Diversity & Inclusion
LDC is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting local communities and environmental initiatives. All backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to protected characteristics stipulated by federal, state or local laws.
Sustainability
Louis Dreyfus Company is committed to sustainable value, focusing on fair practices for people, partners, communities and the environment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Reference: JR0096109
Function: Operations, Engineering and Maintenance
About Louis Dreyfus Company
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, active in over 100 countries and employing approximately 18,000 people globally.
Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions
Assist in managing the functions of the QA procedures and personnel at each location within North America.
Administer QA policies, procedures and programs within North America.
Develop and administer a continuous improvement plan for both QA procedures and personnel.
Work with the QA staff region‑wide to ensure proper certifications and training.
Coordinate with local plant laboratory personnel to review operations for potential process or procedural improvements to increase yields and savings.
Manage third‑party laboratory relationships.
Develop and maintain a library of customer Statements for all NA sites, standardizing as much as possible in conjunction with regional and facility QA managers and legal.
Transmit standard Statements and completed questionnaires to customers after QA manager review.
Receive starting‑materials nonconformance reports and enter them into the ISN Procurement database for supplier scorecards.
Coordinate creation and approval process for Starting Materials specifications and maintain in regional SharePoint libraries.
Work with Procurement to review submitted Supplier Approval documents and maintain a supplier qualification library.
Review supplier material specifications and maintain documents; conduct on‑site audits of third‑party facilities.
Create and maintain animal feed labels according to AAFCO and state regulations, coordinating with IT and tax teams.
Keep regulatory registrations related to food safety updated (e.g., FDA Facility Registrations).
Perform final corporate review of Customer Specification reviews after commercial and facility reviews.
Review facility trial protocols and cost analyses for accuracy and justification.
Serve as a resource on LIMS software.
Liaise with LDC Commercial teams, customer procurement and quality staff for audit questions, documentation concerns, and product approval process questions.
Liaise with LDC Quality staff worldwide to develop best practices and foster consistency across documentation sets for food and feed products.
Act as a regional resource on new procedures, methods and regulatory requirements for quality assurance; champion quality efforts by training non‑QC staff on best practices.
Perform additional projects and duties as assigned.
Education, Professional Certifications and Licenses
Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or a related discipline.
Advanced degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or a related discipline (preferred).
Certified Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for Human Foods (FDA curriculum).
Certified PCQA for Animal Foods (FDA curriculum).
Certification in auditing for a GFSI food safety scheme (e.g., FSSC 22000, SQF, BRC).
Non‑commercial Pest Control Applicator license (preferred).
Experience
10+ years in the food industry and food manufacturing.
6+ years of quality assurance and supervisory experience.
Direct involvement in managing cross‑location projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Quality Management System and Good Manufacturing Practices audit experience.
Biofuels production experience or familiarity.
Active membership in industry associations (NGFA, NAEGA, ISEO, NOPA, IFT).
FDA Food Facility Registration.
FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule, Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and Food Defense Rule knowledge.
Food and feed labeling regulations knowledge.
Food/Feed Integrated Pest Management.
Microbiological control in human and animal food.
Process validation experience.
Laboratory Information Management Systems experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Familiarity with analytical standards (ASTM, AOCS, AOAC, AACC, USP, NSF).
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Negotiation and influence skills.
Knowledge of agricultural production, manufacturing, refining and processing industries.
Knowledge of current industry best practices and governmental regulations.
Knowledge of chemistry and lab testing techniques.
Ability to train, instruct and motivate employees.
Conflict resolution, problem solving, workload prioritization and decision‑making skills.
Working Conditions
Primarily a climate‑controlled office environment with occasional visits to industrial operations areas, exposing workers to temperature variations, gases, vapors, dust, odors, wet floors and high noise levels.
Stair climbing may be required.
Travel 25‑50% to sites for audits.
Occasional extension of regular working hours for time‑sensitive projects or emergencies.
Decision Making/Accountability
Ability to work unsupervised and make critical decisions on QA procedures and processes with direct impact on budgets, profitability and food safety/quality.
Capability to work in a fast‑paced environment with multiple management levels to recommend QA results and process improvements.
Active member of the facility SHE program, ensuring safety policies and training are implemented and unsafe conditions remedied promptly.
What We Offer
Comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, employee assistance, life insurance, disability).
401(k) with company match.
Family‑friendly benefits (childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family‑building benefits).
Paid Time Off and paid holidays.
Flexible work options (not applicable to all roles).
Diversity & Inclusion
LDC is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting local communities and environmental initiatives. All backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to protected characteristics stipulated by federal, state or local laws.
Sustainability
Louis Dreyfus Company is committed to sustainable value, focusing on fair practices for people, partners, communities and the environment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr