Director, Food Safety (Finance)
Primary Responsibility:
Responsible to lead the continued development and implementation of a comprehensive, best-in-class approach to food safety and regulatory compliance in multiple refrigerated warehouse facilities. This position will oversee the implementation of GFSI food safety requirements and advise senior leadership and field operations management on food safety and regulatory compliance matters.
What You'll Do:
• Develop and implement corporate food safety and regulatory policies to ensure compliance with customer, governmental, and internal requirements across all warehouse operations.
• Support implementation of security policies and protocols across all warehouses
• Lead and support a team of Corporate Food Safety Managers to foster a strong, company-wide food safety culture.
• Provide guidance for non-standard operations (e.g., protein processing, fruit packing, e-commerce).
• Oversee third-party food safety audits and ensure all warehouses maintain required federal, state, and local licenses, including FDA registration renewals.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive food safety training across the network on topics such as GFSI/SQF, HACCP, Food Defense, and Internal Auditing.
• Ensure compliance with external customer certification programs including USDA Organic, California Prop 12, C-TPAT, and Import/Export regulations.
• Support implementation of security protocols and assist warehouse operations in managing adverse events (e.g., fires, pest issues, staffing shortages).
• Stay current on evolving food safety regulations and industry best practices and communicate emerging trends and regulatory changes across the network.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Global Operations, Legal, Business Development) on contract reviews, customer issues, and new business opportunities.
• Other duties as requested.
What Experience and Education You Need:
• Bachelor's degree in a science-related field required.
• 10-15 years of experience in food manufacturing or food distribution under USDA/FDA (or equivalent) oversight, with minimum 8 years in progressive leadership experience, with multi-site responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of food safety legislation, GFSI certification (SQF preferred), HACCP principles, and internal auditing (ASQ certifications a plus)
• Proven ability to interact with regulatory agencies and manage compliance programs including Export/Import, C-TPAT, and environmental regulations.
• Skilled in developing and delivering training across organizational levels and analyzing processes to identify food safety and quality risks.
What Could Set You Apart:
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence individuals at all levels, including internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in high-volume, fast-paced environments, demonstrating flexibility, consistency, and commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution, with the ability to influence site management and drive issue resolution.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and execution skills, with a focus on task prioritization and adaptability to changing work environments.
• Customer-focused mindset, with a strong service orientation and the ability to build and maintain productive relationships.
Physical Requirements:
• Requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, with frequent interruptions.
• Requires several hours per day of sitting, getting up and down from chairs, and reaching, or bending.
• Requires manual dexterity with normal hand and finger movements for typical office work.
• Talking, hearing, and seeing are important elements of completing assigned tasks.
• May require travel by automobile and airplane for business.
• May require visits to warehouse operations in temperatures at or below freezing.
• May require carrying loads related to travel and the occasional lifting, carrying, positioning, and/or moving of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Requires the use of various electronic tools.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The Company makes reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.
What We Offer:
Our associates know the answer to the question "What's in it for me?" We offer best-in-class benefit programs and continuously work with our associates to ensure that our offerings meet the needs of their health and financial well-being. When you join Americold you join a values-oriented company with a clear mission. We help our customers feed the world.
Americold is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE/AA M/F/D/V.
ABOUT US
Americold is a global provider of temperature-controlled infrastructure. We partner with farmers and food producers to ensure their perishable and frozen product reaches foods suppliers, restaurants, and your local grocery store without spoilage. Our customers, which include some of the most respected brands in the food industry, rely on our expertise and commitment to safety in order to deliver on their commitments.
