The Opportunity:

The Director, Food Safety and Quality Assurance is accountable for the execution of the Food Safety, Quality and Technical Services long term strategy within Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) vision to Raise the Good in Food. The Director is accountable to adhere to and execute the MLF Food Safety and Quality Management System (FSQMS) across several food production facilities and for driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced and demanding environment. Additionally, the Director will support the establishment and maintenance of positive and collaborative relationships with other functions throughout the organization, regulatory authorities, customers and other external contacts.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by May 18. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Reason for vacancy: Existing Headcount

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

Food Safety
Drive execution of and compliance to all food safety programs at assigned plants, including but not limited to:

• Accountability to lead, support, and communicate the MLF FSQATS strategy and drive FSQ performance metrics targets
• Guide teams towards meeting MLF’s standards within the FSQATS management system
• Oversee compliance of the HACCP system to meet FSEP and other regulatory requirements where applicable (i.e. USDA, FDA)
• Continuous improvement of FSQ programs to enable adherence to Internal Audit and BRC/SQF requirements
• Pathogen Control programs such as EMP testing and oversight and review of related Seek & Destroy activities, pathogen surveillance, etc. including trend analysis of results in Prepared Meats facilities
• Coach and educate teams via deep understanding of the EMP Standards and SOP
• Oversight and approval of construction protocols at plant level as they impact FSQ
• Lead the review of the Food Safety and Quality Risk Assessment as a key element of the product development (Get-To-Market) process both before and after Decision-To-Launch
• Review and approve all FSQ risk assessments conducted by assigned plants
• Review and approve plant responses to SIP Regulatory Non-Conformances from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Collaborative interaction with other Directors, FSQA in support of information sharing, program improvements and consistency within all manufacturing facilities and distribution centres
• Thought leadership to continuously improve on the MLF FSQA Management System or its effective execution
• Focus effort to reduce waste from the FSQA Management System via Six Sigma methodology
• Strong leadership and support of manufacturing facilities and corporate FSQ team
• Build strong relationships with other functions that enable positive engagement and results
• Active role in new builds, redesign on current manufacturing processes to ensure Food Safety is built in during design

Quality
Drive execution of and compliance to all quality programs and requirements (QMS – Quality Management System) at assigned plants, including but not limited to:

• Adherence to the QMS standard, guidance to other functions
• Adherence to specifications
• Establishing, assuring adherence and continuous improvement to QMS governance in the responsible plants
• Complete and thorough understanding of QMS
• Trend Analysis of QMS performance (CQPs, CTQs, etc.) to identify, enable and support implementation of process improvements as defined within QMS governance

Talent Development

• Develop FSQA personnel at assigned plants including succession planning
• Utilize the FSQA Competency Model to hire, coach and mentor and seek opportunities to develop and execute training
• Provide guidance and direction on training of hourly and salaried FSQA plant staff to assure compliance to Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Participate in talent planning - short and long term
• Completion of hiring waivers, salary reviews, performance discussions including performance assessments and development action plans, performance improvement plans, business objectives, and terminations (as required)

External Customer
Manage customer requirements including but not limited to:

• Oversight of plant BRC/SQF certification and compliance
• Liaise with Sales to assure delivery of Food Safety and Quality expectations (including specifications, audits, etc.), as required by the customer within the MLF programs and affected plants within the assignment

Internal Contacts

• Regular interaction with internal customers, Sales and Marketing, Operations, the Operations Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Teams as required
• Network with peers in the industry, related professional associations and interact as needed with the applicable regulatory agencies
• Work closely with the assigned corporate Operations leads to assure compliance to the aforementioned programs.

Working conditions

• Presence at facilities on a routine basis, including travel in Western/Eastern Canada and Ontario is required, and potentially other areas
• Hours may vary to meet plant schedules including Sanitation, pre-operative inspection and all shifts of operation
• Working independently with demonstrated self-accountability and thought leadership

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven project management experience including demonstrated change management competency
• 5-10 years of experience managing teams
• Minimum of 10 years in a regulated food manufacturing industry
• Minimum 5 years in Food Safety and Quality Management function
• Bachelor of Science in Meat Science, Food Science, Nutritional Science, Animal Science or other related science degree. Applied science degrees (e.g. Engineering) will be considered depending upon previous work experience.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Level 2-3 Six Sigma certified
• Lean Manufacturing excellence understanding and participation
• Experience in prepared food/meat processing

Required Proven Competencies:

Behavioral Requirements

• Demonstrated compliance to the Maple Leaf Values
• Work independently without day-to-day guidance and direction
• Resilience and ability to persevere through difficult situations
• Demonstrated skills in team building and collaboration within the function and cross-functionally, and stakeholders

Communication

• Clear and concise in all means of communication (written, verbal, electronic, public speaking, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to explain technical issues in understandable terms
• Effectively able to communicate with all levels of the organization (situational communication) and stakeholders

Problem Prevention/Solution

• Proven Continuous Improvement skills especially through Six Sigma and Lean
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to quickly derive root cause and effect sustainable preventive measures
• Demonstrated ability to use data to predict and prevent problems before they arise
• Ability to compile all relevant information into concise risk assessment and reporting format and provide output to all stakeholders in a timely manner
• Drive to prevention and prediction

Leadership

• Proven coaching, mentoring and directive skills
• Ability to drive others toward a common goal, including those that don’t report to this role (influential leadership)
• Ability to develop and present go forward actions in a way that results in commitment from the team
• Work as a team with peer FSQA Directors – collaboration is key

Commitment and Teamwork Focused

• Holds self and others accountable to effectively deliver on FSQMS programs including MLF programs, regulatory requirements, customer requirements, etc.

Required Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• SAP-QM, SAP-RD is required
• Visio and Minitab proficiency an asset

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We’re a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.