MFG FOOD SAFETY/QUALITY ASSURANCE DIRECTOR

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.

Minimum

Bachelor's Degree in food science, food microbiology, chemistry or a related field

Demonstrated excellence in project planning and execution

Excellent ability to communicate empirical and technical information to all audiences

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 in food science or a related field

Product crisis management team experience

15+ years of experience in specialized areas such as food manufacturing, food safety, and/or regulatory compliance

Strong understanding of microbiological principles

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 messages 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 safety

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

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