FSQS Business Compliance Manager, North America

Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of "We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World". The company's product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

Location: Proximity to Work in Alsip, IL US, Scarborough, CAN or Monterrey MX

Pay Scale: Min $100K - Max $135K (US Currency)

Summary: Provide strategic and tactical leadership for assigned Griffith Foods businesses for compliance within the Food Safety and Quality Management System, to include regulatory, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) compliance, Customer audits and Griffith Foods requirements for a specific region and/or site(s). The team driver for the assigned region of the FSQS Compliance Team to transform our operations group to better perform against regulatory and customer requirements. Regional manager and leader for all FSQS communications with customers and providing oversight of business performance related to customers and audit compliance within a region. Creates alignment and commitment with all regional FSQS initiatives against business needs to deliver improved performance consistency, standards consistency, customer satisfaction, and business enablement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

FS & QS Programs

• Overall responsibility for the Regional Programs within the Food Safety & Quality Management System, as they relate to regulatory and customer compliance, and in accordance with Griffith Foods Global FSQS Policies.
• Leads Regional Food Safety Culture Program with a focus on employee engagement, senior leadership commitment, and targeted culture improvement objectives.
• Leads and develops plans to standardize quality measurements and protocols for all sites within the region that are aligned to industry's best practices.
• As an active member of the Regional FSQS Team ensures alignment of FSQS Compliance expectations across regional business functions and regional support function teams.
• Collaborates with the FSQS site Managers on product releases that require customer notifications, to ensure there is alignment and acceptance of the final disposition.
• Assures the sites are complying with all Regional Policies related to all aspects of FSQS Compliance for regulatory and customer requirements, including review and acceptance of Food Safety Plans and Performance (KPI's).
• Represents the business and customer concerns as a member of the Regional Food Safety.
• Team and key integration contact for Griffith Global FSQS and Griffith Foods practices who continuously strives toward standardization of practices and methodology.
• Oversee, tracks, and compares performance of the sites and business regarding performance in the areas of customer complaints, site non-conformances, audits and provides direction for improvement via monthly scorecard KPI reporting.
• Assures compliance with all local regulations and regulations related to countries of export within the region, as applicable.
• Provides local guidance and leadership to comply with GFSI compliance, such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Food Safety and Quality Standards.
• Collaborates with site FSQS Managers for customers regarding required information, audits, and any issues (complaints and nonconformances).
• Aligns with site FSQS Managers, R&D and all other business groups to ensure the commercial process is efficient and effective for new products.
• Coordinates sites audit schedules for the Regional Internal Audit Program to assure that all policy requirements are maintained at each manufacturing site.
• Assures new manufacturing equipment design/installations to meet sanitary design.
• Assures that local warehouses and co-mans are in compliance with Griffith Foods standards.
• Assures Regional FSQS Compliance Team coordinates and manages visits and audits for customer, regulatory and GFSI, and assures all corrective actions are appropriate and communicated.

• This role provides leadership in all Food Safety and Quality areas across the region for regulatory and customer compliance.
• Acts as the Regional Technical Lead for Food Safety and Quality Systems assuring standard communication for business and customer requirements.
• Primary regional technical liaison between Commercial and Supply Chain teams during development and new product trials.
• Determines ways and promote initiative-taking rather than reactive stance with business/compliance quality with key customers to improve internal and external stakeholder satisfaction.
• Represents the region for FSQS Compliance elements during major complaints with customers and business partners.
• Has a supporting role in Regional Crisis Management by providing information and resolution to product or conditional issues to the Regional FSQS Director. Provides appropriate updates to the crisis team as needed.
• Expert on regional procedures that support company policies and objectives, for FSQS Compliance, and provide education as needed to internal stakeholders.
• Expert on regional customer requirements and needs, for FSQS Compliance.
• Stays abreast and research new regulatory requirements and provides update on potential new laws that would affect the business.

• Provides FSQS updates to Regional FSQS Director, customers, FSQS Compliance Team, and other stakeholders as directed by the Regional FSQS Director on FSQS key initiatives, challenges, failures, and improvements as related to the areas of responsibility.
• Promotes continuous improvement of FSQS Compliance processes to achieve stronger linkages between sites and the company overall process.
• Works with other departmental heads to achieve company success on new products and new equipment/process initiatives.

• Is responsible for functional and professional development of the Regional FSQS Business Compliance Team and works with Regional FSQS Director to assure that appropriate structure and job roles are in place to support business needs and promote regional and global best practices.
• Is responsible for interviewing, selecting, and hiring new team members as well as directing effective onboarding for new employees training.
• Responsible for defining smart goals for department team members, managing workloads and performance reviews.
• Responsible for the Talent Development Process for staff including performance reviews, training, and coaching as well as succession planning design.
• Is responsible for addressing personnel complaints and resolving problems.

• Bachelor of Science or equivalent degree.
• Minimum 7 years related experience in the food industry and the food safety and quality function.
• 4 years of progressive management experience.
• Regional Regulation, ISO 9000, Pathogen Control, Allergen Control, third party audit and GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) knowledge necessary.
• Continuous Improvement belt attainment: Black, green, or yellow preferred.
• Experience with ERP and LIMS systems activities aligned with FSQS (Traceability, product management, and more).
• Individual must have professional and effective communication skills, oral and written, technical writing skills are imperative.
• Passion for building, developing and leading strong diverse teams.
• Proficient in MS Office Skills, such as Word and Excel.
• Possess the analytical skills to evaluate data and make sound judgments regarding the business.
• Must be able to travel 35% within North America.