Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

The Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance at Maev is responsible for designing and implementing best-in-class quality assurance programs across the supply chain, ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance. This includes managing quality complaints, conducting audits, and developing protocols for product recalls. You will play a crucial part in maintaining high-quality standards from ingredient sourcing to final product delivery.

Candidates for the Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance role at Maev should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Veterinary Science, or a related field. Additionally, 8+ years of relevant experience in food safety and quality leadership roles is required, along with in-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and certifications.

To ensure compliance, the Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance at Maev will develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive food safety programs aligned with FDA, USDA, and AAFCO regulations. This includes overseeing audits, inspections, and certifications, analyzing microbiological data, and establishing corrective actions to address any quality issues promptly.

Ideal candidates for the Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance role at Maev should have experience within the pet food, human food, or consumer packaged goods industries. Practical knowledge of managing co-manufacturers, supplier relationships, and application of food safety regulations while effectively addressing product recalls will significantly benefit applicants.

At Maev, the culture is vibrant, innovative, and fast-paced, fueled by a passionate team dedicated to redefining pet nutrition. As a Director in our team, you’ll collaborate with talented individuals who are not just experts in their fields, but also genuinely care about making a difference for dogs and their owners. The environment encourages creative thinking, initiative, and exploration of new ideas.

When answering this question, you should outline specific food safety programs you've implemented, any challenges you've faced, and how you overcame them. Emphasize your analytical skills and knowledge of regulatory standards to showcase how you ensured compliance while maintaining product quality.

Begin by discussing your audit process, including preparation, execution, and follow-up. Detail how you assess compliance with quality standards and emphasize the importance of having a collaborative relationship with suppliers to address any gaps effectively.

Outline a clear process you follow for crisis management, including communication plans, protocols for identifying affected products, and steps for managing public relations. Highlight any previous experiences that required this skill, demonstrating your ability to stay calm and efficient under pressure.

When tackling this question, explain your practical experience working with these regulatory bodies. Mention specific regulations you are well-versed in and give examples of how you ensured compliance with these regulations in past roles.

Discuss your leadership philosophy and how you foster an environment where your team can excel. Mention how you prioritize training, continuous improvement, and ensuring your team members feel empowered to share their insights and ideas.

Illustrate your commitment to professional growth through industry publications, attending conferences, webinars, or participating in relevant professional organizations. Explain how you actively seek out new technologies and practices to improve your organization's quality systems.

Provide a specific scenario where you addressed a customer quality complaint. Describe the steps you took to investigate the issue, the communication used with affected parties, and how you ensured the complaint was resolved and did not recur.

Explain the significance of data analytics in identifying risk areas, enhancing product quality, and ensuring compliance. Share examples of how you've utilized data to inform decision-making and improve food safety processes.

Highlight your collaborative approach to working with product development teams. Discuss how you ensure that food safety protocols are considered early in the product lifecycle and how you provide guidance on safe ingredient sourcing and production practices.

In answering this, you should discuss challenges such as keeping up with regulatory changes, managing supplier relationships, or dealing with increased consumer scrutiny over food safety. Then, reflect on how you would approach these challenges with strategic thinking and proactive planning.