Sr. Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager- Southeast

Purpose:The most important value at UNFI is
Do the Right Thing
Put Safety and Integrity at the Forefront of Everything We Do.
The Area Sr. Manager Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) position is a part of the leadership team that helps the organization deliver on this critical value
day in and day out. The role is fast-paced and complex and has responsibility across a geographic area for creating a world class food safety culture in which UNFI associates are proactive and interdependent when it comes to food safety. This role is responsible for developing a high performing team of FSQA leaders to ensure the execution of the company s Food safety strategy and goals. The Area Sr. Manager will serve as a key advisor on FSQA matters to area DC stakeholders including but not limited to operations, human resources, merchandising and security/loss prevention leaders.Responsibilities include integrating food safety and sanitation programs across our enterprise to promote end-to-end confidence in food safety for our customers. Interacts with operations to ensure policies, procedures, audits, and training programs are understood and followed. This includes comprehensive support of any and all regulatory certifications. As a Area Sr. Manager, these roles will supervise, support, and develop FSQA site mangers/partnersThis role will support the southeast region, and can be located in any of the following distribution center locations:
-Atlanta, GA,
-Richburg, SC
-Anniston, AL
-Indianola, MS
-Quincy, FL
-Sarasota, FL
-Pompano, BeachJob Requirements:Be a champion of promoting, communicating, and enforcing our food safety programs to ensure that allassociates, visitors, and vendors understand the Company s commitment to providing safe foodAnalyze, develop and communicate annual safety targets. Coordinate with analytics team to ensure monthlyFSQA metrics are accurate.Build a high performing area team of FSQA Managers and Leaders to ensure the execution of UNFI s FSQA visionand strategy at the regional level. Assist with hiring of site FSQA professionals. Participate in annual talentcalibrations.Be a key advisor to the DC Leadership team so they understand weaknesses, deficiencies, and challenges withinour food safety culture and collaborate with leadership to address these issuesBe and stay current with all State, Federal, and local regulatory agencies to ensure compliance regarding local DCoperations.Lead Area Distribution Centers food safety and sanitation efforts working with regional and DC Leadership tomaintain compliance with Federal, State and local regulation as well as adhere to SQF standardsProvides leadership support to multiple FSQA Specialists/Managers and their assigned DCsCoaches and develops DC Food Safety & QA staffProvides direction to local Food Safety teams to ensure food safety and quality by providing accurate and up todate food safety policies and proceduresServe as an escalation point of contact of critical Food Safety issues for the DCs the role has oversight ofDirects activities in maintaining and executing effective food safety, food defense, and recall plans, policies, andprocesses in Distribution Center operationsConducts food safety assessments at internal DC locations, 3rd party locations, and if needed supplier sitesEnsures FSQA team collaboration with operations partners to ensure compliance during facility changes and/ornew site developmentsEnsure all corrective actions are completed timely and effectivelyEnsure investigations of product quality and compliance issues (i.e. tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.) are effectively completedAssist with media relations in developing relevant, clear communicationsAssist with customer call center operations related to customer food safety and quality assurance complaintsMaintain active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodiesConsistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, andnurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone s top priority.Communicate consistently, concisely, and clearly with Regional, Merchandise, and Brands Plus leadership as toimportant issues, updates, changes, and initiatives.Supervise Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialists and provide direction, feedback, and professionalProvides support to Regional Directors to roll-out updated standards/trainingsPerform other job duties as requiredEducation/ Certifications:Bachelor s Degree in Food Science, Public Health or related field requiredHACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certificationrequiredExperience:7+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing, food wholesale, and/or food distribution program3+ years of prior experience leading a team of FSQA professionalsExperience with interpreting state and federal regulations, and maintaining working relationships with industry andregulatory officialsExperience actively working with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to strategically solve problems,manage projects, drive performance while maintaining long-term strategies.Excellent ability to develop and present business plans and strategies to influence company decision makers.Ability to coordinate planning and collaboration with other business functions in a way that is mutually beneficialand drives continuous improvement.Ability to analyze and independently resolve a variety of difficult situations and problems using timely decisionmakingKnowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact and influence effectively with all levels of management, employees, and customers and experience collaborating with unions.Ability to balance multiple priorities and ensure significant issues are communicated clearly to relevant stakeholders in timely mannerExceptional presentation and training skillsProven ability to influence without authorityExceptional ability to deal with conflict in all levels and areas of the organizationAbility to work well with others to accomplish resultsProficient with Microsoft Word, Power point and ExcelAdapts well to and initiates change in the organizationPhysical Environment/Demands:Travel will be required up to 60% of the timeMost work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environmentIncumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminalWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hearIncumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workdayStooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be required in completion of job dutiesAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.#LI-Onsite