FSQA Director

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery®, Otis Spunkmeyer®, and Oakrun Farm Bakery®. With 14 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

Provide leadership and guidance to bakeries on the implementation of Food Safety and Quality Assurance programs and systems outlined in AIMS and by Regulatory guidelines.  Continuously improve quality processes by developing, implementing, and enforcing food safety, quality, and consistency policies company-wide while ensuring strict compliance with Regulatory Agencies. Work in collaboration with cross-functional partnerships at the bakery and corporate level to establish and enact plans for continuous improvement of bakeries and programs. 

Accountabilities: 

• Drive continuous improvement in the area of Food Safety and Quality Assurance by supporting bakery teams in goal and key performance indicator achievement.
• Set challenging, reasonable performance expectations for microbiological performance, foreign material control, regulatory compliance, and HACCP programs
• Responsible for the selection, motivation, and development of Quality Assurance personnel, along with SVP, to ensure all positions are effectively staffed and managed. Reviews progress with Human Resources on an ongoing basis. Conducts timely formal performance evaluations for all direct reports, in addition to recommending developmental training.
• Responsible for implementing and improving corporate food safety and quality assurance policies including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls (HARPC), Aspire Integrated Management System (AIMS), and creating improvement strategies for the business.
• Responsible for undertaking the responsibilities of a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual as outlined under the Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. Including overseeing the preparation of a Food Safety Plan, the validation of Preventive Controls, the Review of Records, and the Reanalysis of the Food Safety Plan in bakeries.
• Responsible for supporting the up-dating and the continuous review of existing Food Safety plans to incorporate current GMP, Process Preventive Controls, Allergen Preventive Controls, Sanitation Preventive Controls, and Supply Chain Applied Controls.
• Responsible for supporting the bakery Food Safety (HARPC) team in the evaluation and implementation of controls on all biological, chemical, physical, and economically motivated hazards to our foods. This should also include consideration for the development of defect action limits, hygienic zoning, and adequate by-product controls.  
• Responsible for the effective implementation and adherence to the Aspire Bakeries Recall and Traceability Program
• Responsible for understanding all applicable food regulations (international, national, state, and local), leading bakeries to assuring they meet all regulations and effectively interacting with regulatory personnel.

• Responsible for understanding and leading the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards (i.e. BRC) implementation and recertification in bakeries and responsible for facilitating and overseeing bakery preparations for all customer and third-party audits.

• Routinely interfaces with major customers to preserve and enhance the image of the company as a competent supplier of quality foods exceeding their expectations, relationships determined with SVP input.
• Responsible for assuring bakery QA Managers effectively investigate customer/consumer complaints using root cause analysis,  corrective actions, and preventive measures, respond to complaints in the required timeframe, and analyze complaint trends.
• Supports in new food development and ensures appropriate controls and inspections are in place for the successful launch of new foods.
• Maintain awareness of industry advances and technologies to assure that customers have the benefit of the latest the industry has to offer with regard to food safety, sanitary design of equipment, and product quality.
• Responsible for assuring effective implementation and adherence to Aspire Bakeries’s Net Weight Verification Procedure is completed within the bakeries, including an understanding of federal laws governing net weight and labeling.
• With Regulatory, responsible for ensuring Organic, non-GM, Kosher, and Halal certifications are being maintained and are up-to-date for each location as applicable.
• Responsible for ensuring customer requests and communications with bakeries are effectively controlled and completed.
• Responsible for maintaining brand integrity through focus on food safety, quality, and legality, in line with Aspire Bakeries expectations and guidelines.
• Responsible for identifying resource needs within the team and applicable bakeries.
• Work directly with Operations management and in conjunction with R&D, Purchasing, Logistics, and other departments to provide guidance and assure implementation and adherence to AIMS policies, programs, and procedures.
• Oversee the enforcement of robust testing programs on foods to ensure compliance with regulations, adherence to specifications, and the advancement of product safety for our consumers.
• Responsible for existing food shelf life studies including handling, storage requirements, coding, compliance of standards, sensory criteria, and implementation and oversight of test-to-fail studies.
• Adherence to AIMS document retention and control procedures.
• Assist in monitoring general housekeeping and cleanliness of the bakery location.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Technology, or a related discipline, and particular experience with manufacturing QA is required
• 5+ years of food industry manufacturing or quality experience including multi-site leadership experience is required
• Minimum of 5 years of comprehensive food safety and quality experience with an extensive background in the manufacturing food industry, HACCP, USDA, or FDA preferred
• Certified in HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point), USDA or FDA preferred
• Certification as PCQI (Preventive Control Qualified Individual)
• Certified in a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard such as BRC or SQF
• Understanding of microbiology, aseptic sampling, methods, and interpretation
• Lean Six Sigma training or black belt certification is a plus
• Comprehensive knowledge GMPs

• Previous experience with GFSI, BRC, SQF, and/or USDA audits is desirable
• Proficient in computers including spreadsheets, statistical programs, and SAP applications

Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed In this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.