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Join Arenaflex: Lead Food Safety Excellence Across World-Class Manufacturing Facilities
Are you a visionary leader passionate about food safety and quality assurance? Do you thrive in dynamic manufacturing environments where your expertise can make a tangible impact on millions of consumers? If so, arenaflex invites you to join our team as Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance for our meat and dairy manufacturing operations.
At arenaflex, we are committed to delivering the highest quality products while maintaining the most stringent food safety standards in the industry. As a leader in food manufacturing, we understand that our success hinges on the excellence of our FSQA teams and the robustness of our quality management systems. This is your opportunity to shape the future of food safety across multiple manufacturing facilities while working with a team that values innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement.
We are seeking an experienced professional who can define, implement, and champion a quality mindset throughout our organization. This leadership role oversees FSQA teams across both third-party and arenaflex-owned meat and dairy processing facilities, driving excellence from farm to table. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a lasting impact on food safety standards, we want to hear from you.
What You Will Do: Key Responsibilities
As the Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance at arenaflex, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality across all our manufacturing operations. Your leadership will be instrumental in protecting consumers, maintaining regulatory compliance, and driving operational excellence.
Strategic Leadership & Framework Development
- Design, develop, and implement comprehensive FSQA systems, policies, and procedures that align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements
- Establish and enforce quality standards that ensure consistent product excellence across all manufacturing facilities
- Create and maintain robust food safety management systems that meet or exceed GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) standards
- Lead the development and implementation of crisis management and business continuity programs
- Drive plant startups and grassroots QMS (Quality Management System) development initiatives
Incident Management & Compliance
- Oversee incident management and investigation processes, ensuring timely and effective resolution of all food safety issues
- Ensure full regulatory compliance with FDA, USDA, FSIS, and other relevant federal, state, and local agency requirements
- Investigate reports and analyze data to prioritize compliance initiatives and direct the future state of manufacturing programs
- Lead cross-functional teams in addressing food safety challenges and implementing corrective actions
- Maintain comprehensive documentation and reporting systems for all FSQA activities
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Direct and mentor FSQA teams across multiple departments and manufacturing locations
- Work closely with direct reports to ensure accurate and timely reporting and escalation of issues and metrics to executive leadership
- Collaborate with the VP of Quality Control and other manufacturing partners to drive continuous improvement
- Coordinate with external certification bodies, suppliers, third-party service providers, and consulting organizations
- Support and facilitate audits at all levels of the organization, including regulatory, GFSI, animal welfare, and fit-for-purpose programs
Performance Monitoring & Improvement
- Conduct internal monitoring, auditing, and reporting on HQ and site FSQA management systems adherence and effectiveness
- Utilize business analytics to guide strategic decision-making and identify improvement opportunities
- Implement and drive continuous improvement initiatives using quality methodologies such as Six Sigma, First-Time Quality, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Analyze compliance data to identify trends and develop proactive intervention strategies
What You Bring: Required Qualifications
We're looking for candidates who bring a proven track record of success in food safety and quality assurance within manufacturing environments. The ideal candidate will possess:
- Regulatory Expertise: Working knowledge of plant cycles and regulations including FDA, USDA, FSIS, and local government agencies. You must understand the complexities of food safety regulations and how they apply to meat and dairy processing operations.
- Technical Proficiency: Experience working with food safety processes including microbe monitoring, CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action), HACCP, FSIS, and FSMS (Food Safety Management Systems). You should be comfortable implementing and auditing these critical programs.
- Manufacturing Experience: Demonstrated experience working in food manufacturing facilities, with preference given to candidates with USDA facility experience. You understand the unique challenges of meat and dairy processing environments.
- External Partnership Experience: Proven track record working with third-party certification bodies, suppliers, third-party service providers, and consulting organizations. You know how to build and maintain productive external relationships.
- Audit Experience: Experience supporting and working with audits at all organizational levels, including regulatory audits, GFSI certifications, animal welfare programs, fit-for-purpose assessments, and other relevant programs.
- Quality Systems Expertise: Strong background in quality systems that drive continuous improvement, including Six Sigma methodology, First-Time Quality initiatives, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
- Leadership Capabilities: Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization, from front-line workers to executive leadership.
What Sets You Apart: Preferred Qualifications
While we welcome candidates who meet all the required qualifications, the following experiences and attributes will make you an exceptional fit for the arenaflex team:
- Advanced degrees in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related fields
- Additional certifications such as PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) or SQF Practitioner
- Experience leading FSQA teams across multiple geographic locations
- Knowledge of international food safety standards and export requirements
- Experience with digital transformation initiatives in food safety and quality
- Strong background in lean manufacturing principles
Essential Skills & Competencies
To succeed in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following key skills and competencies:
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture while managing intricate details that impact food safety across multiple facilities
- Analytical Excellence: Strong business analysis skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions
- Communication Mastery: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences
- Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners
- Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to address complex challenges with creative, practical solutions
- Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities
- Commitment to Excellence: Unwavering dedication to food safety and quality standards
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
At arenaflex, we believe in providing our team members with the resources they need to succeed. This position offers flexibility through remote work arrangements, with direct reports located throughout the United States, specifically in Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and other beef facilities (with future expansion planned), as well as Arkansas (periodic workspace visits required).
When visiting our manufacturing facilities, you should be comfortable working in an industrial environment that includes:
- Moving machinery and equipment
- Varying temperature conditions, including cold or chilled processing areas
- Humid or wet conditions typical of food processing environments
Safety First: Safety is paramount at arenaflex. All team members must be committed to proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to all visitor protocols within each facility. We provide comprehensive safety training to ensure everyone returns home safely every day.
Career Growth & Learning Opportunities
Joining arenaflex means becoming part of an organization that invests in your professional development. As a Director-level leader, you will have access to:
- Executive leadership development programs
- Continuous learning opportunities in food safety innovations and regulatory changes
- Exposure to cutting-edge food safety technologies and methodologies
- Networking opportunities with industry experts and peers
- Career advancement paths within our growing organization
- Cross-functional project experiences that broaden your skill set
Compensation & Benefits
At arenaflex, we recognize that our people are our most valuable asset. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and professional growth:
- Competitive Compensation: Base salary commensurate with experience, plus annual incentive awards for exceptional performance
- Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with generous company match
- Stock Programs: Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) opportunities
- Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy to support work-life balance
- Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave for growing families
- Health & Wellness: Multiple comprehensive health plans (medical, dental, vision) with flexible coverage options
- Additional Perks: Employee assistance programs, wellness resources, and more
Join the Arenaflex Family
At arenaflex, we believe we are best positioned to help our associates, customers, and communities live better when we truly know them. That means understanding, respecting, and valuing diversity in all its unique forms – different styles, experiences, personalities, ideas, and perspectives. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - by choice. We believe in creating a workplace where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and all employees have the opportunity to contribute to our success.
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and join a team that's passionate about food safety and quality excellence, we encourage you to apply today. Bring your expertise, leadership, and vision to arenaflex, and help us continue our mission of delivering safe, high-quality products to millions of consumers across the nation.
Note: The above information is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. A full job description can be made available as part of the recruiting process.