Food Safety & Quality Director

Universal Ingredients Innovative Plant-Based Solutions for Global Industries Universal Ingredients is a global supplier of high-quality, plant-based specialty ingredients for human and pet consumption. With thousands of products and global sourcing capabilities, we provide customized, value-added solutions – including fruit and vegetable juices and concentrates, dehydrated ingredients, botanical extracts, flavors, and beverage systems – for food and beverage manufacturers worldwide. Our advanced production capabilities, including aseptic beverage processing and flexible packaging solutions, enable safe, shelf-stable products with no preservatives. At the heart of our innovation is our Application Capabilities Lab, where food science experts collaborate with customers to develop market-ready solutions through product development, flavor analysis, sensory testing, and commercialization support. Driven by innovation, sustainability, and partnership, Universal Ingredients helps customers stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences while delivering consistent quality, functionality, and performance across global markets. Disclaimer: Shank’s Extracts manufactures various products that identify as major food allergens (milk, eggs, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans) as well as several other food ingredients. We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed to skin and/or odor contact with these various ingredients. Your health and safety are our number one priority, and we will do our best to accommodate within reason.

Summary Universal Ingredients is seeking a Food Safety & Quality Director to lead our Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory functions. This leader will establish and strengthen quality systems across the organization, ensure regulatory and food safety compliance, and partner closely with Operations, Commercialization, R&D, Procurement, and Commercial teams. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with practical manufacturing leadership and has a track record of building a preventive, accountable quality culture focused on getting things right the first time.

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Lead the overall Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory strategy for Universal Ingredients.
• Establish consistent quality standards, systems, policies, and performance expectations across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable FDA, FSMA, GMP, HACCP, SQF/GFSI, labeling, and customer requirements.
• Strengthen root-cause analysis, CAPA, change control, SOP/SSOP, and audit processes.
• Partner with Operations to improve first-pass quality and reduce complaints, deviations, holds, rework, and recurring quality issues.
• Lead customer complaint management, regulatory inspections, certification audits, and customer audits.
• Oversee supplier quality, regulatory documentation, specifications, labeling, and product compliance.
• Support new product commercialization by embedding Quality and Regulatory requirements early in the process.
• Maintain strong traceability, recall preparedness, and crisis-management processes.
• Develop and lead a high-performing Quality and Regulatory organization while fostering shared accountability for quality and food safety across the business.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field.
• Progressive Quality, Food Safety, and/or Regulatory leadership experience in food, beverage, flavors, ingredients, or related manufacturing.
• Experience in Aseptic process manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of FDA food regulations, FSMA, GMPs, HACCP, supplier quality, sanitation, traceability, and recall management.
• Experience leading audits, inspections, investigations, root-cause analysis, and CAPA.
• Strong manufacturing orientation with demonstrated ability to partner effectively with plant operations.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Requirements

• PCQI/HACCP certification, GFSI lead auditor certification, and experience in flavors, extracts, food ingredients, or complex food manufacturing

Available Immediately Upon Hire: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, EAP, ID Theft, 401K, and PTO

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.