Assistant Director of Quality

Location: Royal City, WA (Relocation assistance available)

Work Setting: Onsite, Monday–Friday aligned with production schedule; flexibility required to support audits, production needs, and urgent quality issues

Compensation: $125,500 – $137,500 total compensation (base + bonus)

Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, holidays, and comprehensive benefits package

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Quality is a critical leadership role responsible for rebuilding and leading the food safety and quality function within a high-volume food production facility. This position goes beyond maintaining compliance, it is a hands-on turnaround opportunity to strengthen weak processes, establish structure, and restore a culture of accountability and audit readiness.

This role is highly visible across the organization and will directly impact product integrity, regulatory compliance, and overall operational performance. The ideal candidate brings a proactive, systems-driven mindset and thrives in environments where they can assess gaps, implement sustainable solutions, and lead teams through change.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, and FDA/USDA regulations

• Maintain audit readiness for SQF, BRC, and customer audits
• Lead internal and external audit preparation and execution
• Ensure accurate documentation and timely corrective actions

Quality Systems Management: Rebuild and strengthen quality systems, processes, and documentation

• Oversee document control, specifications, CAPA programs, and supplier approval systems
• Lead internal audits and manage non-conformance investigations
• Establish disciplined, audit-ready recordkeeping practices

QA Function Turnaround (Core Focus): Assess current gaps and implement structured, sustainable quality processes

• Rebuild systems to ensure consistent audit readiness
• Drive accountability across QA and production teams
• Shift the organization toward a proactive quality culture

Team Leadership & Development: Lead and develop QA Technicians across microbiology, environmental monitoring, and product quality

• Provide coaching, training, and performance management
• Ensure adherence to SOPs, GMPs, and quality standards

Training & Culture Building: Develop and deliver food safety and quality training programs

• Reinforce plant-wide ownership of quality and compliance
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Production, Maintenance, R&D, Supply Chain, and HSE teams

• Address equipment-related quality risks and process improvements
• Support new product development and quality validation efforts

Audit, Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate quality records, logs, and compliance documentation

• Lead customer complaint investigations and root cause analysis
• Track and report quality KPIs to leadership

Continuous Improvement: Analyze quality trends and implement corrective improvements

• Reduce risk and enhance product quality outcomes
• Introduce new systems, tools, and best practices as needed

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of experience in food safety and quality roles
• 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, FDA/USDA regulations, and SQF/BRC standards
• Proven experience managing quality systems and audit readiness
• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced production environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience rebuilding or stabilizing a QA function in a manufacturing environment
• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Experience with quality management systems and reporting tools

Why Join Us?

• High-impact leadership role with the opportunity to rebuild and own the QA function
• Visible position influencing plant-wide operations and long-term success
• Strong leadership support for implementing systems and driving change
• Opportunity to create structure, improve processes, and leave a lasting impact
• Stable, growing food production company with ongoing investment in operations
• Collaborative culture focused on accountability, quality, and continuous improvement