Director, Quality Systems & Assurance

Description

The Quality Systems & Assurance Director is responsible for overseeing and managing the quality assurance, food safety, and compliance programs within Denali Ingredients production facilities. This role ensures that all products meet regulatory, customer, and company standards for quality, safety, and consistency. 

The Quality Systems & Assurance Director will work closely with peer Directors. The role is responsible for co-driving the ongoing change journey at each facility, leading quality assurance initiatives, implementing effective quality control processes, and advancing continuous improvement in production practices. A key focus is empowering frontline teams to take greater responsibility and ownership for both their work and the products they produce. 

Individuals are expected to contribute to the operation’s mission statement of Deliver Excellence Every day, and the goals established for SQDC pillars (Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost).

Core Responsibilities / Essential Duties

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management deems necessary.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality management systems (QMS) aligned with industry standards such as HACCP, GFSI (BRC, SQF, OFSS), and ISO 22000.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, FSMA) and customer requirements.
• Conduct internal audits, inspections, and validation activities to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Lead regulatory and third-party audits, ensuring successful certifications and compliance assessments.
• Manage documentation and record-keeping related to quality systems and food safety programs.
• Supplier audits and certifications.
• Stay      attuned to Orkla Food Ingredients quality management resources, information, training, etc

Food Safety & Hygiene:

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality management systems (QMS) aligned with industry standards such as HACCP, GFSI (BRC, SQF, OFSS), and ISO 22000.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, FSMA) and customer requirements.
• Conduct internal audits, inspections, and validation activities to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Lead regulatory and third-party audits, ensuring successful certifications and compliance assessments.
• Manage documentation and record-keeping related to quality systems and food safety programs.
• Supplier audits and certifications.
• Stay attuned to Orkla Food Ingredients quality management resources, information, training, etc

Product Quality & Continuous Improvement:

• Establish product specifications in collaboration with R&D, Operations, and other appropriate functions. Develop quality control procedures and test protocols to ensure consistency.
• Analyze trends in quality data, customer complaints, and non-conformance reports to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and supply chain teams to optimize product quality and process efficiency.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality metrics and process improvements.

Customer Complaints / Quality Failures

• Champions a highly customer-centric mindset and best-in-class culture related to quality, fostering processes and a department that impacts/ensures the capture and timely/full resolution of the Voice of the Customer (i.e., any expressed complaints/concerns). 
• Aspire to an industry-leading position when it comes to timely acknowledgement, root cause identification,      corrective action plans, and complete and successful resolution of any      Voice of Customer item identified. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Quality Department/Lab at each plant has a direct reporting relationship with the Quality Systems & Assurance Director, and an indirect reporting relationship with the Plant Directors.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and develop the quality assurance team, fostering a culture of quality and food safety throughout the organization, down to the frontline owners.
• Lead cross-functionally as needed to ensure those outside direct reporting lines support the quality agenda and to ensure timely actions are taken to make improvements needed.
• Provide guidance and training to employees to enhance awareness and adherence to quality standards.
• Act as a liaison between different departments to ensure seamless communication on quality matters.

Other duties as assigned.

The Quality Manager (or if not able, a qualified designee) will be the backup to this position.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Additionally, they must fulfill essential job functions in a consistent state of alertness and safe manner.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role is critical to ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality in food manufacturing while supporting operational excellence and regulatory compliance. 

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Dairy Technology, Microbiology, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in quality assurance or food safety within the food ingredient, dairy, or food manufacturing industries.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GFSI (BRC,      SQF), FSMA, FDA, and USDA regulations.
• Experience leading audits and managing food safety certification programs.
• Experience interacting with customers and leading customer communications related to quality.
• Proficiency in quality control tools,      data analysis, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and drive quality improvements.

Ensure Workplace Safety:

• Actively demonstrate and drive behaviors that result in zero accidents and injuries to demonstrate that the safety of our employees is the most important asset that are under our care.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in HACCP, PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual), or SQF/BRC      Practitioner. 
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Language Skills

• Ability to write reports, procedure manuals, and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, vendors and other employees of the organization without assistance. 

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. 

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of specifications and information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, carrying and moving parts, materials, and product. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

In our Work Environment, employees demonstrate their skills, teamwork, and leadership by the example they set for the people they serve. Employees are concerned not just with their own duties but additionally how they can assist those around them.  

Denali Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer that continues to build a strong culture of inclusion. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant and believe in fairness and providing a level playing field for all. We foster a culture that thrives on diverse perspectives and contributions to ignite the creativity and innovation to fuel our business and enhance the employee and customer experience. Denali Ingredients is in New Berlin, Wisconsin. We are customer-centric, fun and engaging. Beyond making ice cream treats tastier, Denali provides a fast-paced stimulating international environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits, training, mentoring and growth opportunities. Join a team that makes the world a sweeter place!

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.