Senior Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Job Summary:

The Senior Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) - Distribution is responsible for providing overall leadership and oversight for Corporate Food Safety Programs across all distribution operations (e.g. USBL, LACE, , SYGMA, Greco, etc.).  This position oversees the design, development, training, implementation and execution of risk-based food safety programs for the distribution segment of Sysco’s business.

The Senior Director coordinates and collaborates responsibilities with Corporate, Business Unit, Market, Region and OpSite Leadership to establish and improve alignment with overall goals and objectives.  The Senior Director will oversee and manage the implementation of the expectations, policies, procedures, programs, and training components.  The position is responsible for establishing, tracking, and reporting as well as continuous improvement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each segment. The incumbent will work with other leaders in the FSQA department to develop and implement key FSQA strategies aligned with Sysco’s business objectives; and will provide coaching, direction and development to applicable FSQA staff.

This role frequently collaborates with Corporate, Business Unit, Market, Regional and local leadership in functional areas of Operations, Supply Chain, Technology, Merchandising, Finance, Sales, Legal, and HR, as well as customers, and supplier personnel to provide food safety guidance and subject matter expertise.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead and manage Food Safety System Execution

• Develop, implement and execute the FSQA culture, strategies, policies, procedures, and programs for the distribution segment to ensure compliance with company requirements and applicable Federal, State/Provincial, and/or Local regulations.

• Establish, track, assess, report and seek continuous improvement for the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Create, maintain, and execute training content relevant to FSQA programs.

• Oversee the reassessment of the Food Safety Programs for the businesses on a routine basis, upon any food safety system change and/or regulation that would mandate reassessment.  The Senior Director works with applicable corporate FSQA team members to communicate changes to stakeholders and others as necessary.

• Evaluate impacts of existing and pending regulations to FSQA programs. Collaborates and communicates impacts of regulations with other stakeholders in Sysco (ex. functional leads in Operations, Merchandising, Sales, Technology, etc.), Suppliers, Customers, or others; develops action plans to address and/or minimize impacts to FSQA programs and Sysco’s business.

• Manage process improvement initiatives to further mitigate Sysco’s food safety risks and to differentiate Sysco from its competitors.

• Provide food safety guidance and direction to Sysco Operating Sites, customers, and suppliers as needed.

• Provide food safety guidance and direction to FSQA team members on internal and external audits or regulatory inspections as needed. Provide feedback on action plans for non-conformance.

• Support Sysco’s Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activities through development and execution of the M&A Integration plan, including site inspections to review operational food safety, quality management and/or sanitation programs, risk assess target company FSQA programs against food safety regulations and Sysco requirements, and execute integration process post-acquisition.

Maintain Internal and External Food Safety & Quality Assurance Relations

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in foodservice and food processing industries such as OpSite personnel, suppliers, customers, trade groups, and regulators.

• Work with National Account customers and OpSite stakeholders to evaluate and respond to customer driven requests.

• Provide food safety guidance and direction to Sysco OpSites, customers, and suppliers as needed.

Talent Management

• Develop, manage, coach, train and evaluate performance of Director and/or Managers to meet current and future business needs.

• Ensure that FSQA Directors, Field Directors, and OpSite Food Safety leaders successfully execute FSQA programs.

• Utilize Sysco talent management process and programs (CMP performance management, leadership development tools, Sysco Speaks, talent reviews, etc.) to manage and develop FSQA talent.

• Demonstrate effective collaboration in leading remote team members.

Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree required (Food Science, Animal Science or Biological Science preferred).

Education Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree required (Food Science, Animal Science or Biological Science preferred).

Experience Required:

• 15+ years’ management experience in Food Safety or Quality Assurance or other similar roles.

• Experience successfully building teams, including recruiting, selecting, hiring, terminating personnel as well as on-going coaching and performance management.

• Development and management of comprehensive and standardized food safety policies and procedures.

• Environments may include: Food Distribution Centers, Food Processing Companies, Product Warehouse Facilities or related industries

Experience Preferred:

• 10+ year’s accountability for enforcement of federal/state/local regulatory laws.  Proven ability ensuring safety and quality of products.

• 10+ year’s cross-functional business partnering at senior and executive leadership levels.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Expert understanding of Food Safety regulations, laws, and best practices including those from FDA, USDA, CFIA and other federal/state/provincial and/or local entities.

• Knowledge of food microbiology, food safety, food fraud, and food defense.

• Prior recall experience/knowledge.

• Knowledge of product traceability.

• HACCP, PCQI, Seafood HACCP, FSVP, Intentional Adulteration, GFSI Implementation, and ServeSafe certifications preferred.

• Management principles including developing objectives, projecting and managing a multi-million dollar budget.

• Ability to plan and organize team’s work activities; analyze and disseminate forms and numerical data; perform complex mathematical calculations; manage work time efficiently; follow procedures and policies; identify and solve problems; write clearly and concisely.

• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Must possess excellent project management, team building and communication skills.

• Must possess excellent computer skills and have a working knowledge of programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Must have excellent business writing, grammar and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to successfully engage and lead individual and team discussions and meetings.

• Ability to apply all relevant corporate and food safety policies in a consistent, timely and objective manner.

• Capable of working with peers and associates from other functional areas, departments and at the local level in a proactive and constructive manner.

• Ability to work in a disciplined manner and capable of following established procedures, practices and complying with local, state and federal regulations.

• Reports to work promptly and regularly; works well with others; demonstrates the ability to consistently meet deadlines.

• Ability to maintain management and associate confidence by keeping information confidential.

• To be successful in this position, the individual performing the duties must successfully demonstrate the following Sysco critical Leading for Growth competencies:

Strategic Mindset                                                                             Customer Focus

Collaborates                                                                      Develops Talent

Communicates Effectively                                            Drives Engagement

Drives Growth & Results                                Courage

• Travel is required 20% - 40% of time (average travel is 1.5 - 3 out of 5 days per week)

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.