Director of Quality & Food Safety – Pet Food Manufacturing

Role Overview for Director of Quality & Food Safety – Pet Food Manufacturing

JRG Partners is proud to represent a premier, rapidly growing pet food manufacturer in their search for a Director of Quality & Food Safety. This is a pivotal executive leadership position for an individual passionate about animal health, uncompromising quality, and manufacturing excellence. Based in the vibrant hub of Kansas City, MO, you will serve as the chief advocate for quality and safety across the entire organization, from raw ingredient sourcing to finished product distribution.

This role is not just about compliance; it’s about creating a proactive, world-class quality culture that becomes a competitive advantage. You will be the strategic architect of our quality systems, responsible for developing and executing a long-term vision that safeguards our brand, delights our customers, and ensures the well-being of the pets we serve. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will have the autonomy and resources to build and lead a multi-site team, implement cutting-edge technologies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that set new standards in the pet food industry.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a deep technical background in food science and a proven track record of implementing robust quality management systems in a complex manufacturing environment. You are a strategic thinker who can translate regulatory requirements and scientific principles into practical, effective programs. You are also an inspiring mentor who can develop talent and foster a sense of ownership and accountability within your team. If you are ready to make a significant impact on a company dedicated to producing the highest quality nutrition for pets, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.

Key Responsibilities of Director of Quality & Food Safety – Pet Food Manufacturing

As the Director, you will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing strategic leadership, regulatory oversight, and hands-on operational excellence. Your primary duties will include:

Strategic Leadership and Team Development

• Develop, articulate, and implement a comprehensive, forward-looking strategy for Quality and Food Safety that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and empower a geographically dispersed team of Quality Assurance managers, supervisors, technicians, and sanitation professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Establish and manage departmental budgets, performance metrics (KPIs), and strategic goals to drive accountability and measure success.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, collaborating with Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, and Marketing to ensure quality and safety are integral to every stage of the product lifecycle.

Regulatory Compliance and Systems Management

• Act as the company’s primary authority on all food safety regulations, ensuring unwavering compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements, including the stringent FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulations, FSMA, and AAFCO guidelines.
• Serve as the main point of contact for regulatory agencies (FDA, USDA) during audits, inspections, and inquiries, building and maintaining professional and transparent relationships.
• Oversee the development, validation, and continuous improvement of the corporate Food Safety Plan, including HACCP and HARPC programs, across all manufacturing facilities.
• Lead the maintenance and enhancement of Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked certifications, such as SQF or BRC, ensuring audit readiness and top-tier performance.

Quality Assurance and Control Operations

• Direct all quality assurance and quality control functions, including robust programs for incoming raw material and packaging inspection, in-process monitoring, and finished product testing and release.
• Establish and enforce scientifically-sound specifications for ingredients, work-in-progress, and finished goods to guarantee product consistency, safety, and performance.
• Oversee critical prerequisite programs, including sanitation effectiveness, environmental monitoring (EMP), allergen control, pest management, and GMPs.
• Champion a robust Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) program, leading root cause analysis investigations for any deviations, customer complaints, or system failures to prevent recurrence.

Supplier and Co-Manufacturer Quality

• Design and execute a comprehensive supplier quality management program, including risk assessment, auditing, and performance monitoring to ensure a safe and secure supply chain.
• Collaborate closely with the Procurement and R&D teams to qualify new suppliers and ingredients, setting clear expectations for quality and food safety from the outset.
• Establish quality agreements and performance scorecards for all critical suppliers and co-manufacturers, driving continuous improvement throughout the extended supply network.

Crisis Management and Continuous Improvement

• Lead the corporate crisis management and product recall team, ensuring a state of readiness through mock recalls and traceability exercises.
• Champion a data-driven, continuous improvement mindset, leveraging tools such as Statistical Process Control (SPC), Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma to reduce variability, minimize waste, and enhance product quality.
• Stay at the forefront of the industry by monitoring emerging food safety risks, new analytical technologies, and evolving regulatory landscapes, proactively adapting company programs as needed.

Requirements for the Director of Quality & Food Safety – Pet Food Manufacturing

We are seeking a distinguished professional who meets the following qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, Biology, or a closely related technical field is required.
• A Master of Science (M.S.) or Ph.D. in a related discipline is highly preferred.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Regulatory Affairs within the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in a significant leadership capacity, with a proven track record of managing managers and leading teams across multiple sites.
• Direct and substantial experience in pet food manufacturing is strongly preferred. Experience in USDA-regulated environments or complex human food manufacturing (e.g., thermal processing, extrusion) will also be considered.

Technical Skills and Certifications

• Expert-level knowledge of FDA regulations, FSMA (specifically the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule), GMPs, and HACCP principles.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification is required.
• Advanced HACCP certification is required.
• Certified SQF Practitioner or BRC Professional, with extensive experience leading facilities through successful GFSI audits, is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory management, environmental monitoring programs, and sanitation principles.
• Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS) software and data analysis tools.

Leadership Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to drive change and build consensus from the plant floor to the executive suite.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical information clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities with a bias for action.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and effective under pressure, particularly during crisis situations.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30-40% to visit manufacturing plants, suppliers, and industry events.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our commitment to excellence extends to our employees. We offer a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package for this executive role, including:

Executive Compensation

A competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term incentive plan (equity/stock options).

Health and Wellness

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with low premiums for you and your dependents, plus a robust employee wellness program.

Financial Future

A 401(k) retirement savings plan featuring a generous company match to help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

Work-Life Balance

A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, paid company holidays, and comprehensive parental leave.

Relocation

A full executive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family to the Kansas City area.

Professional Growth

A dedicated budget for professional development, including industry conferences, executive education, and ongoing certifications.

Additional Perks

Substantial employee discounts on our products, a pet-friendly corporate office environment, and regular team-building events.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary quality and food safety leader with a passion for pets and a drive to build best-in-class systems, we strongly encourage you to apply for this career-defining opportunity. JRG Partners is managing this exclusive search on behalf of our client.

To express your confidential interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications. For more information on our specialized search capabilities within this industry, we invite you to visit our Food and Beverage Recruiting practice area. Our dedicated team of executive recruiters will be in touch with qualified candidates to discuss the next steps.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.