Senior Director of Quality Assurance and Food/Feed Safety

The purpose of this position is to proactively develop, lead and drive the execution of the Quality Assurance and Food/Feed Safety Programs of APC, Boyer Valley, Essentia, Proliant Health & Biologicals and Proliant Dairy; with a focus on balancing the business needs of each company with the assurance that all products meet established regulatory, company, and customer specification, reliability, and quality standards. JOB QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION Minimum four-year degree in a science discipline, business management, or quality science. EXPERIENCE Minimum 10 years experience in business management with quality, regulatory, and/or science emphasis required. JOB DUTIES: Work effectively with supported LGI company executives to strategically and cost effectively: Explore new opportunities for growth with new products, product line extensions, and new markets both domestic and international. Adopt Quality Assurance and Food/Feed Safety procedures and practices to best serve each supported LGI companys Business Practices. Direct efforts to expand markets, including developing highly functional relationships with regulatory agencies and business associations in the US and internationally. Take a major leadership role in advancing a culture of quality and compliance across the supported LGI companies, by providing oversight and guidance of: Internal, customer, 3rd party, and regulatory audit conduct and support Supplier qualification programs Establishment of programs and processes for new products Assurance of finished product quality and consistency Management of product release program Customer relationships with regard to Quality Assurance Assure company profitability and growth well into the next generation by effectively managing the creative tensions between: Assurance of consistency of product quality and safety and inspiration of continuous product improvement. Adherence to regulatory guidelines and encouragement of creative solutions. Build and grow the departments expertise by: Hiring individuals with the ability and desire to excel Fostering development of employees for career advancement Encouraging cross functional training Providing challenging and rewarding work and training opportunities Develop and foster positive relationships for all department team members with both internal and external customers. Collaborate across departments within the LGI companies to foster internal and external development of new opportunities. Closely monitor scientific and regulatory literature for opportunities for, and threats to, business maintenance and growth. Provide a leadership role for product withdrawal, business continuity, crisis management, and disaster preparedness efforts. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: High level relationship, communication, and meeting conduct skills for successful interactions with all levels of management, employees and customers. Knowledge of chemistry and microbiology testing methodologies and their role in assuring product quality and safety. Excellent knowledge of organizational methods and ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously. Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining professional profile of calmness during periods of peak activities. Ability to work extended hours and/or travel as needed. Ability to deliver public presentations. Knowledge of strategic planning processes and integration of Quality Assurance Food/Feed Safety department throughout organization. Extensive knowledge of food and feed regulations, safety, and methods of assuring compliance to meet standards. Wide knowledge of food and feed ingredient manufacturing processes from the quality assurance and production perspective. Extensive knowledge of FDA, USDA FSIS and USDA APHIS regulations. Ability to lead, support, and hold accountable department personnel to meet business requirements and current work objectives. Expertise to forecast annual budgets and to operate the Department within budget. BASIC PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Approximate: 8-Hour Day (may be longer during peak season) Key: Occasional 0% - 33% Frequent 34% - 66% Continuous 67% - 100% N/A Not Applicable Standing Occasional Sitting Frequent Walking Frequent Bending/Kneeling/Crouching/Stooping Occasional Reaching Above Shoulder Occasional Climbing (stairs, ladders, etc.) Occasional Working on Heights: Unprotected Heights N/A Protected Heights N/A Lifting Weights from 0 to 50 pounds Occasional Push/Pull/Maneuver Equipment/Products/Materials Weighing from 0 to 50 pounds Occasional Being Around and/or Operating Laboratory Equipment Occasional Operating a Vehicle (as a part of your job) Occasional Read/Monitor Gauges on Various Equipment/Machinery/Instruments Occasional Hand Movements: Recording Data Frequent Operating Office Equipment Frequent Operating Computer Frequent Simple Grasping (right and left) Occasional Firm Grasping (right and left) Occasional Fine Manipulating (right and left) Occasional Foot Movements to Operate Foot Controls N/A Good Vision, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to Access Required Information and to Perform Job Duties Yes Color Definition Yes Good Hearing, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to Communicate and/or Understand Required Information and to Perform Job Duties Yes Ability to be Mobile throughout Required Work Areas Office Frequent Multiple Locations Occasional Plant Occasional Equipment/Maintenance or Repair Area N/A Rough Terrain N/A Other N/A BASIC MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: This job requires the mental capabilities to apply sound judgement in the direction of quality, regulatory, and research principles and practices, in order to provide leadership to LGI companies for optimization of product quality, regulatory compliance, profitability and business sustainability. WORKING CONDITIONS AND EXPOSURES: Working conditions varying, including general office environment, research laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing plant; there is potential for exposure acids, bases, biohazards, odor, noise, dust, moving machinery, and occasional contact with hazardous chemicals. At times travel on company business will be required with exposures to inclement weather and various manufacturing conditions. TRAINING: Safety: Other: Right-to-know On-the-job training Hazardous Materials/Chemicals Employee Handbook Emergency Procedures Training Seminars/Classes Personal Protective Equipment Continuous Quality Improvement LGIs foundation began in 1916 as the Lauridsen Creamery, selling butter, eggs and poultry to the local community. Although our headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa, is not far from the old creamery in Dedham, Iowa, the company is now worldwide with more than fifty manufacturing and sales locations in twenty countries and sales in more than sixty countries. Each company under the LGI umbrella is truly independent. They have the ability and the charge to be entrepreneurial, to seek out new markets, to develop new products and applications, and above all - to discover new ways to add value through fractionation and novel application. Whats more, because some LGI companies have offices and presence around the world, all LGI companies benefit from their exposure to new markets, new products, new applications and new thinking.