Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Director

 The Opportunity:
The Director, Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (FSQMS) is accountable for the execution of the FSQMS strategy within Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) vision to Raise the Good in Food. Within FSQMS, the director is accountable for sub-strategies including FSQA Metrics and Analytics, HACCP, Quality Management System (QMS), Digital Strategy (SAP and BPO), Training and Development and Document Management.

Please note that is an 24-month temporary opportunity.

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

Food Safety

Drive execution of and compliance to all corporate food safety programs, including:

• Accountable to revise, update and maintain FSQA performance targets and metric reporting.
• Accountable for Recall policy and program, and leadership of recalls, withdrawals and other events
• Ownership of FSQA Digital Strategy including path-to-paperless initiatives
• Accountable for FSQA Training & Development and all associated learning material
• Ownership of Corporate FSQA policies, programs, SOPs, etc. and document management within SharePoint
• Oversight of network HACCP program to ensure plants meet FSEP and other regulatory requirements where applicable (i.e. USDA, FDA)
• Continuous improvement of FSQ programs to enable adherence to Internal Audit and GFSI requirements.
• 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
• Focused effort to reduce waste from the FSQA Management System via Lean and Six Sigma methodology.
• Establish and grow strong leadership, support and troubleshooting for manufacturing facilities and corporate FSQ team
• Establish and grow strong relationships with other functions enable positive engagement and results.
• Provide guidance and leadership to the Operational Excellence initiative for FSQ

Quality Management Systems

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

• Oversight of overall QMS program including rhythms and metrics
• Provide support and guidance to ensure adherence to specifications through understanding of process capability
• Establishing, assuring adherence and continuous improvement to QMS governance
• Trend Analysis of QMS performance (CQPs, CTQs, etc.) to identify, enable and support implementation of process improvements.
• Provide supplementary training and support for process capability analysis and related analytics to ensure continuous improvement and meeting QMS standard
• Run QMS quarterly steering meeting, including management of follow-ups and action plans

Talent Development

• Develop FSQMS personnel at assigned plants including succession planning.
• Develop, maintain and utilize the FSQA Competency Model.
• Provide guidance and direction on training of hourly and salaried FSQA staff to assure compliance with Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Participating in talent planning - short and long term
• Manage team using Leader Standard Work (LSW) and an expert in this area with the network
• Completion of hiring waivers, salary reviews, performance discussions including performance assessments and development plans, performance improvement plans, business objectives, and terminations (as required) 

External Customer

Manage customer requirements including:

• Participation in Customer SPOC program
• Liaisson 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 afore mentioned programs.

Working conditions

• Presence at facilities as needed including travel in Western/Eastern Canada, USA and Ontario is required.
• Hours may vary to support initiatives, all shifts of operation.
• Working independently with proven self-accountability and thought leadership.

Preferred Hiring Criteria:
Behavioral Requirements

• Demonstrated compliance with 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.) to all levels within the MLF organization.
• 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, Power Platform
• Visio and Minitab proficiency are required.
• SAP QM, SAP RD knowledge are preferred.

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.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, 'speaker series' events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

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 

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.

#LI-DNI

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