Senior Director, Quality Assurance Programs and Compliance

at  Sofina Foods Inc

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Chief Safety Officer, the Senior Director, Quality Assurance (Programs & Compliance) will, in collaboration with Operations and the Quality team, manage, guide, the quality, food safety and regulatory requirements and compliance for all Sofina production facilities in Canada. This includes but is not limited to harmonization of policies and standards, as well as measuring effective implementation of best practices and regulatory compliance (internal and external audit programs), inclusive of MOP, USDA regulations, Animal Care and BRC. In addition, this role will be responsible for providing technical, scientific and regulatory support and guidance to the business.
This individual will support the Company’s quality and food safety vision - while providing strong support to the Safety & Quality Management function. Working in full alignment and cooperation with Sofina’s Operations and Safety & Quality teams, ensuring activities fully support and promote plant, success.
Provide Technical expertise and support in interactions with plants, CFIA and our leadership teams and be integral in successfully addressing expectations and / or concerns.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Responsible for the quality, food safety and regulatory policies and programs, as well as providing technical expertise and support to the organization;
• Integral in proposing, developing and owning short and long-term goals and objectives for Quality & Safety which align with company business goals and regulatory changes;
• Maintaining current and high-level knowledge of existing regulation, customer requirements (quality / food safety), BRC or industry standards, and maintaining clear sight and awareness of changes to the above to ensure effective and timely communication and implementation internally while minimizing negative impact to the operation of the business;
• Providing expert technical, regulatory and animal health / welfare assistance to management teams;
• Working with Operations and QA Directors to create a passion and responsibility for quality in every employee, promoting and environment of “behaviour-based” compliance;
• Direct and oversee continuous improvement of food safety standards and practices across the Sofina. Benchmarking current programs against industry best practice in North America to understand gap and improvement opportunities in practice, regulation and technology;
• Develop and maintain the respect of senior CFIA leaders represent the Company as technical area expert in meetings with CFIA. Agriculture Canada and Health Canada and other industry associations;
• In collaboration with Director Quality Assurance & Food Safety, ensures facility preparation for audits (i.e. BRC, Section 4, Costco, USDA etc.). Effectively protects the company’s interests by ensuring effective and timely follow up corrective actions and preventative measures from audit findings.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree (BSc.) in industry relevant field, Agriculture, Animal Science, Microbiology or Chemistry;
• 10 years of experience in quality, foods safety role in poultry processing industry, inclusive of egg hatching and poultry production. Minimum of 5 years at a management level;
• Expert level technical and regulatory knowledge in areas of microbiology, food and/or meat science, regulatory and animal care requirements related to poultry and pork production;
• Demonstrated experience leading QA management teams, inclusive of managers at senior levels within the organisation;
• Proven industry relations experience in representing company position and technical information;
• Articulate and compelling in presenting science-based, technical and regulatory positions for Sofina foods internally at plant level, at senior levels within the company and with external bodies. Representing, influencing and where necessary effectively challenging, existing thinking, practices and potential regulatory direction as needed;
• Knowledge of and experience in BRC (British Retail Consortium) standards and practices and HACCP implementation at plant, farm and hatchery level;
• Strong expertise in quality management systems and audits;
• Demonstrated knowledge of Food Safety Enhancement Program (FSEP);
• Excellent presentation skills for small and large group presentations;
• Proficiency with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
  Sofina Foods Inc. is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). Applicants are asked to make their needs/requirements, for the purpose of accommodation under AODA, known to Human Resources when they are contacted for an interview

Please refer the Job description for details