Director of Quality

Director Of Quality & Operations Wildpack Beverages is seeking a hands-on, highly credible Director of Quality & Operations to lead food safety, quality systems, and continuous improvement across our co-packing operations. This role is equal parts quality leader, operational partner, and people builder. You are accountable for ensuring our products are safe, compliant, and consistently excellent, but you don't do it from behind a desk. You're on the floor, in the process, shoulder-to-shoulder with Operations, Maintenance, and Packaging leaders, building teams that care deeply about doing things right the first time. If your version of quality lives only in binders and audits, this role will feel uncomfortable. If your version of quality is embedded in culture, behavior, and execution, we want to talk. A Day In The Life: What You'll Do Quality & Food Safety Leadership Own and continuously improve Wildpack's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including SQF, HACCP, GMPs, FDA requirements, and customer-specific standards Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of: SQF Program, Food Safety Plan, Food Quality Plan, Food Safety Fundamentals Serve as the primary quality authority for internal teams, customers, and third-party auditors Ensure raw materials, in-process production, and finished goods meet defined quality and safety standards Establish and maintain standards for raw material specifications and supplier quality, in-process inspections and controls, finished product evaluation and disposition, rework, hold, and release procedures Operational Partnership & Execution Work in lockstep with Operations, Packaging, Maintenance, and Engineering to embed quality into daily execution Partner with Operations leadership to improve key KPIs including OEE, yield, waste reduction, and right-first-time production Translate quality requirements into practical, executable processes on high-speed beverage lines Support equipment design, layout, validation, and start-up from a quality and food safety lens Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints People Leadership & Culture Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Quality team through coaching, mentoring, and clear accountability Set expectations for ownership, follow-through, and continuous improvement at all levels Actively contribute to a plant culture where safety, quality, and respect are lived values, not slogans Hire, evaluate, and manage performance of Quality team members in alignment with company values and policies Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement Create, maintain, and improve quality documentation, SOPs, and training programs Prepare and present quality and food safety reports by analyzing trends, risks, and performance data Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and operational excellence tools Manage the Quality budget, track spend, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions where needed What You Bring Education & Certifications Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline HACCP certification required (SQF Practitioner preferred) Experience 5+ years of progressive experience in food or beverage manufacturing, ideally in co-packing or high-speed environments in a Leadership position Proven ownership of SQF or similar GFSI programs and third-party audits Experience partnering closely with Operations in a production environment 3+ years of people leadership experience Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP, JD Edwards, Odoo, or similar) Technical & Leadership Skills Strong understanding of FDA regulations, GMPs, food safety, and quality systems Ability to balance risk management with operational realities Comfortable working on the floor troubleshooting, observing, and improving processes in real time Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills Clear, confident communicator who can influence without authority Organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook / MS365) Wildpack Values; Who You Are Energy - How we show up impacts everything we do, so we show up with Wildpack energy. Grit - Work through challenges, make use of what we have, and survive-at-all-costs attitude. Problem Solving - Strives to understand contributing factors, works to resolve complex situations. Team First - Work as one pack to create teammates and reduce friction, internally and externally Wildpack Benefits; What You Get Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Paid Time Off We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.