Vice President Quality Assurance

Job Title: Vice President, Quality Assurance

WILL CONSIDER A CANDIDATE CURRENTLY AT DIRECTOR LEVEL READY TO MAKE A STEP UP!

Overview:
The Vice President of Quality Assurance will lead the strategic development, implementation, and management of quality systems across manufacturing operations, distribution centers, and supplier networks. This executive role is responsible for driving quality excellence, continuous improvement, and a cultural shift from traditional Quality Control (QC) to proactive Quality Assurance (QA). The role requires cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and external partners to ensure product integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and oversee enterprise-wide quality assurance strategies and standards to ensure compliance with internal specifications and regulatory requirements.

• Lead quality efforts across internal and contract manufacturing, developing policies and procedures that drive consistency, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with manufacturing to implement QA practices and enforce standards related to raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and final products.

• Collaborate with R&D to support new product development by defining critical quality checkpoints and risk mitigation processes.

• Drive proactive quality systems that include root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) for any product, process, or procedural deficiencies.

• Develop and implement quality metrics and KPIs focused on reducing supplier defects, internal rework, and increasing first-pass yield and customer satisfaction.

• Lead and evolve the Material Review Board (MRB) process to manage inventory disposition, optimize material usage, and enhance production flow.

• Champion continuous improvement and lean transformation initiatives (hoshin planning, kaizen events, etc.) across the quality organization and plant operations.

• Oversee plant-level audit processes and ensure internal audits are aligned with corporate quality objectives.

• Manage departmental budgets, resources, and quality staffing to meet organizational priorities and ensure compliance readiness.

• Develop and deliver training programs to elevate the organization's quality systems knowledge and capabilities.

• Serve as a key voice in strategic planning, representing quality in leadership discussions and business transformation efforts.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in Quality Assurance, including senior-level responsibility.

• 10+ years of experience in lean manufacturing, with proven success in implementing lean operating systems and transforming plant operations.

• Food manufacturing experience required; strong understanding of food safety, GMPs, and regulatory compliance.

• Expertise in Six Sigma methodologies (e.g., DOE, FMEA, ANOVA, process characterization); proficiency in statistical software tools.

• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing tools: poka yoke, 5S, Kanban, value stream mapping, and work element analysis.

• Strong executive communication, conflict resolution, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated success in driving cultural change and cross-functional quality initiatives within a matrixed organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Science, or related field required.

• Master’s degree in Quality Systems, Engineering, or Business preferred.

• Professional certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, and Project Management highly desirable.

Place of work