MFG FOOD SAFETY/QUALITY ASSURANCE DIRECTOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

Provide product safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance leadership and strategic support for the Manufacturing division, Our Brands, Sourcing, Home Chef, Kroger s external manufacturers and other departments as needed. Provide technical expertise and guidance to crisis management teams during adverse events. Enhance and drive standardization of food/non-food safety and regulatory programs throughout the organization. Demonstrate the company s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop/implement strategies to attract/maintain a highly skilled/engaged workforce by diagnosing capability gaps
- Develop strategy for the development of policies, procedures, and projects in support of Kroger manufacturing facilities by benchmarking industry best practices

- Align compliance programs with the business strategy; direct development of processes, procedures, and technological solutions to better manage risk
- Direct/evaluate the gap analysis of new regulations and the development of plans to ensure compliance; evaluate/report on key performance metrics for compliance programs; and assess/direct the cross functional development of policies for multiple programs to ensure organization
- Play an active role in trade group organizations (e.g., Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), American Baker s Association (ABA), and American Meat Institute (AMI)) via committees; maintain network
- Serve as a technical advisor to the Kroger Crisis Management team regarding food regulations and food safety
- Communicate corporate positions on various overarching issues; reconcile research into refined message for review; formalize statements in response to issues/concerns; and present impact statements to leadership
- Maintain positive working relationships with federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state and local regulators
- Collaborate with legal and associated groups to interpret proposed/final FDA/USDA regulations and develop Kroger policies /procedures from those regulations while serving as an integral member of the Kroger Crisis Management team regarding food regulations, compliance and food
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Must be able to work around ingredients and/or finished products known to contain food allergens

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum
- Bachelor's Degree food science, food microbiology, chemistry or a related field
- Any demonstrated excellence in project planning and execution
- Excellent ability to communicate empirical and technical information to all audience
- Advanced knowledge in food microbiology, refrigerated foods, USDA regulations, specialty ingredients or supplement regulations
- Expert knowledge of, and ability to read/interpret Federal Register notices, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and labeling regulations/directives
- Exceptional strategic thinking, critical thinking, problem solving and analytical reasoning skills

Desired
- Master's Degree food science or a related field
- Any product crisis management team experience
- 15+ years of experience in specialized area such as food manufacturing, food safety, and/or regulatory compliance
- Strong understanding of microbiological principles
- Product crisis management team experience