Quality Food Safety Team Leader

Quality Food Safety Team LeaderA part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet and Science Diet. Veterinarians worldwide recommend and feed their own pets Hill's products more than any other brand of pet food. Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods. We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life. A career at Hill's Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.As our Quality Food Safety Leader in Richmond, you will lead a dedicated team to ensure our facility exceeds quality standards and delivers safe, high-quality products to our consumers. You will be responsible for developing and implementing critical food safety initiatives while fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the plant. By owning our compliance programs and sanitation strategies, you will play a vital role in protecting our brand and ensuring operational excellence.Responsibilities:Responsible for execution and documentation of the Plant Food Safety Program.Conducts investigations of all Food Safety / Environmental / Micro non-conformance issues, and foreign material control program through utilization of CAPA process.Manages microbial sampling plan.Ensures environmental swabbing and testing program is adhered to and in compliance with Corporate Quality SOP's.Leads internal GMP, quality standards and system audits for the facility.Identifies and initiates quality improvements.Advises improvements to process, product, quality systems and working instructions.Supervises compliance of Corporate & Plant quality SOPs and conducts internal auditing programs to ensure adherence.Assist with execution and follow up of regulatory, internal and external audits (i.e. FDA, USDA, AIB, State, etc.)Provides Food Safety Training to the Plant Operations team based on compliance needs.Measures and report plant Quality KPI'sRequired Qualifications:BS degree in Engineering, Biology, Food Science, or a related field (or a Bachelor's degree with 3 additional years of Food Safety experience).Minimum of 3 years of food safety and manufacturing experience.Proven experience in managing cleaning and sanitation programs.Preferred Qualifications:Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience with a focus on leading and developing teams.Certification in PCQI, HACCP, and SQF.Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills to resolve complex food safety issues.Intermediate experience utilizing SAP or similar ERP for quality and database management.Prior experience as a Microbiologist or within a CPG manufacturing environment.Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across different organizational levels.Compensation and Benefits:Salary Range $83,200.00 - $117,500.00 USD Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles. Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.Our Commitment to Inclusion:Our journey begins with our peopledeveloping strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business. Equal Opportunity Employer Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.