Director FSQA

Company Background

Bakkavor is the leading producer of fresh prepared food (FPF) in the UK, with a growing international presence in the US and China. Our 20,000 employees operate from 45 locations, including 39 factories, to develop and produce innovative products for major grocery retailers and food service companies.

Bakkavor is a business centered around scale, innovation, expertise, and strong customer relationships. Our continued investment in these key strengths drives our progress and underpins our strategy of long-term sustainable growth across the Group.

Our strategy to invest and accelerate performance in the US, which is 8% of the Group revenue and will continue to play an important part in the Company growth.

Accountabilities

Director FSQA is responsible for assisting in developing and implementing strategy at the facility level that ensures regulatory, GFSI, internal and customer specification compliance, while supporting the growth of the business. This role focuses on 2 of the 4 Bakkavor USA facilities located in Charlotte, NC, Carson, CA, and San Antonio, TX. Deputy to VP FSQA.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Takes people with them, supports plant teams by delivering effective and practical system-based tools and solutions to overall compliance.
• Develop, implement, and deliver food safety and quality strategies to meet organization needs, business challenges and key metrics.
• Continually drive improvements of facility and team compliance to regulatory, GFSI, internal and customer specification requirements
• Drives communication between facility FSQA teams, operations and FSQA leadership to ensure facilities are properly resourced, trained, and capable of meeting requirements.
• Hands on leader for in-plant Food Safety & Quality teams (dotted line) with a direct report of the Quality Systems Specialist or Internal Auditor.

Role Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or related combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. HACCP/PCQI certification and GFSI training and experience required.
• Experience leading regulatory (USDA and FDA), GFSI and/or customer audits.
• Experience developing FSQA systems and processes that support a fast paced, deadline driven environment where quality and delivery is paramount.
• Influencing and informing skills, business acumen
• Strong strategic thinking skills and proven ability supporting the overarching goals and growth strategies of the business.
• Travel Is Required: (Domestic) Up to 75%.

Personal Characteristics

• A can-do attitude with the ability to roll up their sleeves and do what is needed to get the job done.
• A continuous improvement mindset, a natural analytical person
• Energetic and initiative-taking; desire to make impact.
• A creative and innovative thinker
• Strong intellect, business acumen and advanced critical thinking skills
• Accountability for achievement – sets high standards; delivers promised results; makes timely decisions with sound judgment; takes initiative and is persistent.
• Sense of urgency – meets challenging goals and timelines; quickly changes plans when data or actions require it.
• Highly effective at managing multiple tasks, priorities.
• High integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality at all levels.
• Excellent Interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to work at pace and engender the same ways of working within the extended team.
• Entrepreneurial drive and adaptability, results-orientation, and outstanding organizational skills
• Able to work strategically, but equally able to dive into the details when needed.

Insights

• The US market is poised for exceptional growth, and the Director FSQA plays a key role in the achievement and success of the NA operations.
• Qualified candidates have an advanced EQ and an understanding of the unique dynamics that come with working in the manufacturing industry.