DIRECTOR FSQA REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Overview
Date Posted:
11/18/2024
Job Code:
QY2100
City:
Seattle
State:
WA
Country:
United States of America
Category:
Food Safety Quality Assurance

Trident Seafoods is the largest vertically integrated seafood harvesting and processing company in North America. Trident is a privately held, 100 percent USA-owned company with primary seafood processing operations and fleet support in twelve Alaska communities. Trident’s global operations produce finished wild Alaska seafood products in 6 countries and its sales teams serve customers in over 50 countries. Trident employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide each year and partners with over 5,400 independent fishermen and crewmembers. Species harvested and processed by Trident include virtually every commercial species of salmon, whitefish, and crab harvested in the North Pacific and Alaska. The global supply chain also includes cultured and wild species from a network of trusted sources worldwide. 

Follow Trident on the Web at www.tridentseafoods.com or on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube or LinkedIn

Summary:

The Director of FSQA overseeing Regulatory Affairs and Quality Management Systems (QMS) provides Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) strategic leadership and direction with Operational & Product Regulatory Compliance policies, programs, procedures, systems, goals, objectives and/or initiatives, including the integration and management of a Quality Management System (QMS) structure across all domestic operations. This role will act as the subject matter expert around all regulatory requirements and provide guidance and leadership to direct team members and other internal stakeholders. 

Essential functions (responsibilities, tasks, supervisory needs)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  • Manages and maintains all federal manufacturing facility registrations with FDA and USDC to ensure the free movement of exported and imported products around the globe.
  • Leads and implements Quality Management System (QMS) datasets, policies, processes, and procedures to ensure all products consistently meet or exceed customer expectations and satisfaction.
  • Manages, directs and communicates appropriate compliance requirements with the “FSMA 204” Food Traceability Rule to all relevant Teams throughout the organization.
  • Manages implementation and maintenance of established FDA Food Labeling requirements, USDC insignia (Grade A, PUFI) and USDA FPPS (Federal Purchase Program Specifications) regulations, USDA Technical Proposals and related programs (Child Nutrition, Dept. of Defense, etc.)
  • Collaborates with internal departments and external suppliers to review, approve and validate consumer/customer package graphics, product claims, statements of identity, product ingredient and allergen statements, product percentage range formulas, and nutritional facts, through oversight and compliance review to domestic and international regulatory requirements.
  • Manages and conducts product label audits for each product category to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Manages company Product Recall Program and coordinates associated mock recalls for all manufacturing locations, warehouses, and distribution centers.
  • Manages compliance requirements to MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and RFM (Responsible Fisheries Management) Chain-of-Custody Certifications throughout the organization.
  • Manages product claims including Kosher and Halal certification of applicable domestic and exported products.
  • Drives continuous improvement in the areas of FSQA Regulatory Compliance by setting goals and identifying key performance indicators (KPI’s) in this area of the business.
  • Provides leadership and direction including hiring, performance management, development, mentorship, and termination decisions for members of the FSQA Regulatory Compliance and PLM Teams.

This is a salaried exempt position with an annualized salary range of $150k to $180k.

Trident Seafoods offers a comprehensive and quality benefits package. Full time employees may be eligible for discretionary/performance-based incentives, medical, dental and vision insurance plans, optional HRA/HSA, telemedicine, employee assistance and wellness programs, long-term disability, basic life and AD&D, and 401(k) with a company match, vacation, sick time, 10 paid holidays each year, and paid parental leave.  For full-time employees, the initial vacation benefit starts at 10 days per year, adjusted commensurate with relevant experience, and 7 days of sick leave per year (9 in Seattle), accrued bi-weekly.  Commuter and transit programs are also available.

Required Qualifications (education, years of experience, KSAs)

  • A minimum of 10 years of experience in the FSQA and/or regulatory field.
  • A minimum of 5 years of people leadership experience.
  • A minimum of 5 years of food industry experience.
  • A bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
  • Experience working with and current understanding of food labeling, and regulatory concepts gained through technical reading, industry interaction, and/or attendance at appropriate seminars and educational courses.
  • Experience working with Quality Management Systems.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and general digital applications, software and systems. 
  • Ability to travel, up to 20%.

Preferred education and experience

  • A master’s degree in food science, microbiology, or related field
  • Seafood industry regulatory experience
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Working knowledge and experience with ESHA Genesis R&D
  • Familiarity with 3rd party web data sites (iCiX, FSENet. ECCNet, SpecConnect)
  • Food industry-specific knowledge of ingredients, food allergens, ingredient functionality and product formulas.

Work Environment

This hybrid position will be a combination of remote and onsite at the Trident Support Center office in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, WA. Our hybrid work environment includes remote work on Monday and Friday and in-office in the Support Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

In-office time takes place in a typical office environment: temperature controlled with adequate lighting and moderate noise. While remote, employees must provide appropriate home office space.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for long periods, often sitting at a desk in an office environment.

The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. During visits to production locations the employee will need normal vision and hearing to safely navigate the production floors and warehouse.  The employee moves objects occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Work authorizations:

  • This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship

Trident Seafoods and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or age.

Trident Seafoods and its subsidiaries have adopted a drug-free workplace policy. Working under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol is not permitted.

Any employment offer from Trident Seafoods or its subsidiaries is contingent upon the candidate having and maintaining a valid U.S. Work Authorization status throughout employment.