Description

Why you will love working at Maola®:

• Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.
• Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.
• We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more—available within your first month.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

Starting Annual Salary Range: $275,000 - $330,000

SUMMARY

The Executive Vice President, FSQR will oversee FSQR strategies, policies, and initiatives across multiple divisions or regions. Their role involves setting the overall direction for FSQR efforts, aligning them with business objectives, and ensuring consistency and excellence in FSQR practices throughout the organization. The Executive Vice President, FSQR will work closely with the CEO and other executives to ensure that FSQR considerations are integrated into overall business strategies. They will represent the organization externally on FSQR-related matters, engage with regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders, and champion FSQR as a core value of the organization.

The Executive Vice President, FSQR will provide strategic direction for company-wide Food Safety and Quality programs and systems. They will work with functions such as operations, human resources, and marketing to ensure implementation and adherence to these programs and systems. They will work in conjunction with all departments to provide a best-in-class food safety culture and quality focus, as well as equivalent guidance throughout the Food Supply Chain system. They will provide support with membership, customer requirements, supplier management, communications, and resolution of issues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Responsible for the strategic direction and effective execution of food safety and quality programs, policies, and actions. Monitors progress using effective leading and lagging indicators and spends the appropriate amount of time with manufacturing plants to observe and coach on FSQR matters.
• Responsible for the strategic direction of the food safety culture at the Company, collaborating with leaders throughout the organization to for example, implement project plans, educate, and train employees and ensure that food safety accountability is integrated into goals and objectives.
• Able to effectively collaborate with executives for example the manufacturing and human resource leaders to align on FSQR strategy and execution and drive change where needed with a sense of urgency.
• Drives the development and implementation of best practices in food safety and quality across common food manufacturing platforms.
• Serves as the leader and subject matter expert on behalf of the organization for food safety, quality, FSMA, GFSI, company FSQR policies/procedures. Also responsible for ensuring that all regulatory requirements are understood and acted on by responsible functions.
• Provides direction, development, and oversight of the FSQR team, empowering the FSQR team and holding them accountable for results.
• Ensures (and is directly involved when required) the effective management of key customer FSQR relationships in conjunction with sales personnel and inspires customer confidence.
• Represent the FSQR function to all business teams and serve as a conduit for information. Improve visibility to food safety and quality performance across the organization.
• Provide FSQR guidance to CEO, Executive Team, Functional leadership e.g., Plant Management and Plant Quality Assurance personnel.
• Development of working relationships with appropriate regulatory agencies and work as senior liaison regarding Food Safety and Quality matters.
• Development of metrics and benchmarking for Company FSQR performance through interaction with industry peers.
• Provides guidelines and procedures to manufacturing plant sanitation departments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate quality and food safety principles into the product development process.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage a team of FSQR professionals, providing guidance, training, and development opportunities.
• Hires and trains FSQR staff.
• Schedules, organizes, and assigns projects to members of the FSQR team.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate and interact with all levels of the organization, including executives, senior management, along with customers, consumers, and regulatory officials.
• Expert knowledge in GFSI, HACCP, PCQI, etc.
• Expert knowledge of FDA regulations.
• A working knowledge of USDA and CFIA regulations would be a plus.
• Strong working knowledge and experience with Lean process/culture.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and a sense of urgency with the drive to make continuous improvements. Must understand change management and how to drive positive change throughout the organization as it relates to food safety and quality.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Demonstrated ability to make and act on decisions while balancing speed, quality, and risk.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead food safety culture initiatives.
• At least bachelor's degree in food science, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• SQF practitioner certification.
• Valid Driver's License.
• At least 8 years of experience in a leadership role in quality and food safety.
• At least 15 years of industry experience in Food Manufacturing or related field. Preference is to have specific experience with USDA manufacturing.
• Ability to travel up to 50% as needed to support our operations.

COMPETENCIES

• Communication
• Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels oral, written, visual, and non-verbal ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.
• Accountability
• Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.
• Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur.
• Customer Focused
• Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.
• Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.
• Initiative
• Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
• Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.
• Problem-Solving
• Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.
• Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions.
• Collaboration
• Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met.
• Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person's contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While 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 and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for computer work and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The individual would encounter normal office environmental conditions.
• The noise level for the work environment would be considered in the moderate range (example: computers, printers, light traffic).
• Standard office environment but will spend time in manufacturing plants which can be cold/hot/wet environments.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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