KCO Resource Management
Senior Director of Quality
KCO Resource Management, Syracuse, New York, us, 13201
We are working with a fast-growing food/beverage manufacturer based in central NY state, that is looking to expand their leadership team. They are looking for a dynamic, hands-on Sr. Director of Quality, that can work closely with both the plant team and the executive leadership team. This pivotal role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive quality strategy that ensures the highest standards of food safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality. You will oversee all quality assurance functions, manage the laboratory operations, and collaborate cross-functionally to maintain the integrity of the products from production through to delivery. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a deep understanding of food safety regulations, quality control processes, and laboratory management.
Location: Central New York State
Job Responsibilities:
Oversee adherence to food safety, quality, and environmental regulations at all levels of government, ensuring compliance through regular inspections, risk assessments, and ongoing program evaluations.Establish and maintain strong working relationships with regulatory authorities, including the FDA, USDA, OSHA, and state-level agencies, to ensure alignment with industry standards and regulatory requirements.Direct investigations into quality deviations by identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and establishing preventive measures to mitigate future issues.Lead the Quality Assurance program, managing comprehensive product testing (chemical, physical, microbiological) and shelf-life assessments to guarantee product consistency, safety, and quality.Drive the development and implementation of training programs for plant personnel on key quality areas such as sanitation practices, allergen management, and safe handling procedures.Spearhead the HACCP and SQF programs, ensuring that all food safety and quality protocols meet or exceed established industry standards.Work closely with the R&D department to verify the safety and quality of finished products, overseeing ingredient inspections, testing, and ensuring compliance with packaging and sanitation standards.Partner with operations teams to address quality challenges and drive continuous improvements in manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless integration of quality initiatives across the plant.Collaborate with production teams to ensure that equipment, procedures, and final products meet all required quality specifications.Foster open communication across all levels of staff to create a positive work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.Manage the scheduling and performance of QA and laboratory staff to ensure efficient resource allocation and high operational standards.Promote a culture of quality excellence by providing ongoing training on key quality assurance processes, including dairy testing, Certificate of Analysis (COA) procedures, and best practices for milk sampling and testing.Facilitate regular meetings with quality teams to ensure alignment of goals, performance expectations, and project timelines.Prepare and present detailed quality performance reports to senior management, enabling data-driven decision-making and supporting ongoing improvement efforts.Address customer complaints promptly, conduct investigations, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions to enhance customer satisfaction and product quality.Lead the annual quality budget process, establishing clear financial targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to improve operational efficiency and manage costs effectively.Identify opportunities for cost savings within the quality assurance process, ensuring that safety, compliance, and product standards are not compromised.Provide leadership and support for food safety and quality initiatives during off-shifts as required to ensure ongoing operations and compliance.Take on special projects and additional tasks as assigned by the CEO to align with the company’s evolving business goals and quality objectives.Adapt quality strategies and programs to meet the changing needs of the business, ensuring that the company’s products continue to meet industry standards and customer expectations.
Required Skills/Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in food technology, or a related field preferred.10+ years’ experience in quality assurance within food/beverage manufacturing.Experience in aseptic and ELS processes preferred.Expertise in regulatory compliance, food safety, labeling, and quality standards for dairy production.Experience with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and mass spectrometry is preferred.Familiarity with USDA, State, and Federal regulations for food manufacturing facility.Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Location: Central New York State
Job Responsibilities:
Oversee adherence to food safety, quality, and environmental regulations at all levels of government, ensuring compliance through regular inspections, risk assessments, and ongoing program evaluations.Establish and maintain strong working relationships with regulatory authorities, including the FDA, USDA, OSHA, and state-level agencies, to ensure alignment with industry standards and regulatory requirements.Direct investigations into quality deviations by identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and establishing preventive measures to mitigate future issues.Lead the Quality Assurance program, managing comprehensive product testing (chemical, physical, microbiological) and shelf-life assessments to guarantee product consistency, safety, and quality.Drive the development and implementation of training programs for plant personnel on key quality areas such as sanitation practices, allergen management, and safe handling procedures.Spearhead the HACCP and SQF programs, ensuring that all food safety and quality protocols meet or exceed established industry standards.Work closely with the R&D department to verify the safety and quality of finished products, overseeing ingredient inspections, testing, and ensuring compliance with packaging and sanitation standards.Partner with operations teams to address quality challenges and drive continuous improvements in manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless integration of quality initiatives across the plant.Collaborate with production teams to ensure that equipment, procedures, and final products meet all required quality specifications.Foster open communication across all levels of staff to create a positive work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.Manage the scheduling and performance of QA and laboratory staff to ensure efficient resource allocation and high operational standards.Promote a culture of quality excellence by providing ongoing training on key quality assurance processes, including dairy testing, Certificate of Analysis (COA) procedures, and best practices for milk sampling and testing.Facilitate regular meetings with quality teams to ensure alignment of goals, performance expectations, and project timelines.Prepare and present detailed quality performance reports to senior management, enabling data-driven decision-making and supporting ongoing improvement efforts.Address customer complaints promptly, conduct investigations, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions to enhance customer satisfaction and product quality.Lead the annual quality budget process, establishing clear financial targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to improve operational efficiency and manage costs effectively.Identify opportunities for cost savings within the quality assurance process, ensuring that safety, compliance, and product standards are not compromised.Provide leadership and support for food safety and quality initiatives during off-shifts as required to ensure ongoing operations and compliance.Take on special projects and additional tasks as assigned by the CEO to align with the company’s evolving business goals and quality objectives.Adapt quality strategies and programs to meet the changing needs of the business, ensuring that the company’s products continue to meet industry standards and customer expectations.
Required Skills/Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in food technology, or a related field preferred.10+ years’ experience in quality assurance within food/beverage manufacturing.Experience in aseptic and ELS processes preferred.Expertise in regulatory compliance, food safety, labeling, and quality standards for dairy production.Experience with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and mass spectrometry is preferred.Familiarity with USDA, State, and Federal regulations for food manufacturing facility.Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.