Vice President, Food Safety & Quality

Schwan’s Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle company, CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of quality foods offered through retail-grocery and food-service channels. Our many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Villa Prima™ and Freschetta® pizza; Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® desserts; and Pagoda® and Bibigo Asian-style snacks. Schwan’s is a place for people with an appetite for more. To learn about joining a team where you can belong, contribute, and thrive, visit www.schwanscompany.com

We are seeking a Vice President, Food Safety & Quality. This position is responsible for directing the development and implementation of sound food safety and quality policy and strategic planning that ensures the company standards and regulatory requirements for product safety, regulatory compliance and quality expectations are met for all food products distributed and sold by Schwan’s Company. You will provide technical guidance on quality programs to all levels of leadership. This role is based in Bloomington, MN with approximately 30% travel and reports to the Executive VP of R&D.

What you will get from us:

• Support from team members who are experts in their functions.
• A culture focused on building trust, challenging assumptions, and continuous transformation.
• Opportunities for career growth with one of THE fastest growing food companies in the US.
• Competitive compensation including strong incentives and a flexible time off program.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Directs the development of policy and requirements for and manages the operations of centralized specifications system. Oversees the development and maintenance of database systems necessary for the monitoring and reporting of key performance indicators of food safety, regulatory and quality compliance.
• Directs the development of policy and procedures for the management of laboratory support in the areas of microbiology, food chemistry and sensory evaluation. Establishes standards and audit processes to assure food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Directs the development of standards for food safety and oversees facility audits to assure compliance with food safety, regulatory and quality expectations. Oversees the development of acceptability standards for cold storage facilities, conducts audits and defines corrections necessary for compliance.
• Manages, trains and develops a team of FSQ leaders and technical experts.
• Develops and maintains procedures for product recalls. Directs the development of policy for correction or disposition of product, production processes and facilities failing to meet company standards for food safety, regulatory or quality. Manages the efficient and complete recovery, correction and/or disposition of product involved.
• Directs the development of policy and conduct risk analysis of new, existing and modified products, processes and distribution systems and evaluate alternatives to avoid food safety risk. Communicates viable alternatives and risks to senior management.
• Directs the development of policy defining the standards for supplier and co-packer processes and products for Good Manufacturing Practice implementation and standards for acceptability for outside contracted cold storage facilities.
• Directs the development of food safety education at appropriate levels within the production, sales and support services segments of the company. Provides education, leadership and operation oversight in the scientific and regulatory principles of HACCP.
• Travel: Approximately 30%

What we need from you:

Education: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred

Years of experience: Typically has 12-15 years related work experience, food production experience is required.

• You are a fierce market competitor with the discipline to engage in constructive conflict and blaze a tough-minded path towards excellence.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• You lead teams with unrivaled performance by building trust, demonstrating emotional intelligence, and challenging assumptions with openness and curiosity.
• Working knowledge of food (FDA and USDA) regulations.
• Demonstrated management skills with a track record of inspiring and retaining a team.
• Working knowledge of food microbiology, chemistry and sensory evaluation.
• Broad knowledge of food and facility sanitary practices, products sold, processing procedures, food distribution including methods, channels and conditions and consumer food handling and preparation options and practices.
• Excellent ability to develop strategy using top-notch analytical skills to influence decisions.
• Ability to successfully navigate and lead a team within a highly matrixed company
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with the highest level of government legislative and regulatory agencies.

The employing subsidiaries of Schwan’s Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin or other protected class.