Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 17,000 people globally.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Assist in managing the functions of the QA procedures and personnel at each location within North America.

• Administer QA policies, procedures and programs within North America.

• Develop and administer a continuous improvement plan for both QA procedures and personnel.

• Works with the QA staff region wide to ensure they hold the proper certifications and training to perform their jobs.

• Works with local plant laboratory personnel to review plant operations for potential process / procedural improvements for higher yields and / or costs savings that could result from better / timelier laboratory analysis.
• Works with and manages third-party lab relationships.

• Develop and maintain a library of customer Statements for all NA sites, in conjunction with Regional Quality manager, facility Quality manager and Wilton Legal (as necessary) and standardize as much as possible. 
• Transmit standard Statements and completed questionnaires (after review by QA manager) to customers.
• Receive starting materials nonconformance reports from facility QA and enter into the ISN Procurement database to be used for Supplier scorecards.  (Food safety/quality and other nonconformance incidents such as late arrival or failed arrival, wrong item, damaged in transit, etc.)
• Coordinate creation and approval process for Starting Materials specifications and maintain on regional SharePoint libraries
• Work with Procurement to review submitted Supplier Approval documents and maintain document library for Supplier qualifications and maintain list of approved suppliers.
• Review Supplier material specifications and maintain documents on Supplier Qualification SharePoint library. Review third-party supplier documents and approve products for resale and/or conduct on-site audits of third-party facilities.
• Create and maintain animal feed labels according to AAFCO and state regulations.  Coordinate implementation with LDC IT/CompuWeigh and KSC Tax.
• Work with Wilton Legal to keep regulatory registrations relative to food safety updated and renewed (FDA Facility Registrations, etc.).
• Perform final Corporate review of Customer Specification reviews after Commercial and Facility reviews are completed.
• Review Facility Trial Protocols and Costs Analyses for accuracy, completeness, and justification for the trial.
• Serve as an information resource on LIMS software.
• Liaise with LDC Commercial team(s) and customer procurement and quality staff for audit questions, documentation concerns, and product approval process questions.
• Liaise with LDC Quality staff worldwide to collaborate, develop best practices, and foster consistency across documentation sets for food and feed products.
• Be a regional resource on new procedures / methods / requirements from industry or regulatory that involves quality assurance. Champion quality efforts by training non-QC staff on best practices.
• Additional projects and duties as assigned

Company Conformance Statements

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates and the general public.
• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the Company.
• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and Company policy.

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic qualifications:

• Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or similar disciplines
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or similar disciplines
• Certified as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for Human Foods (FDA approved curriculum)
• Certified as a PCQA for Animal Foods (FDA approved curriculum)
• Certification in auditing for a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) food safety scheme (FSSC 22000 or SQF are best.  BRC would also apply).
• Non-commercial Pest Control Applicator licensed
• BQ9000 Auditor

Experience

Basic qualifications:

• 10+ years Food industry and Food Manufacturing experience
• Six plus years of quality assurance and supervisory experience.
• Experience and direct involvement in managing projects that cross multiple locations.

Preferred qualifications:

• Quality Management System and Good Manufacturing Practices Food/Feed Safety Audit experience
• Vendor Management experience
• Biofuels production (fuel ethanol via fermentation; biodiesel via transesterification) experience or familiarity
• USDA/FGIS Grain Grader
• Active member of related industry associations (NGFA, NAEGA, ISEO, NOPA, IFT, etc.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Familiar with industry recognized Analytical Standards (ASTM, AOCS, AOAC, AACC, USP, NSF)
• Strong computer software skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office productions (Excel, Word, Power Point)
• Negotiation skills and ability to effectively influence others
• Knowledge of agricultural production, manufacturing, refining and processing industries.
• Knowledge of current industry best practices and governmental regulations.
• Knowledge in chemistry and lab testing techniques and procedures.
• Proven ability to train, instruct and motivate employees.
• Skills in conflict resolution, problem solving, work load prioritization and decision making.

Preferred qualifications:

              Knowledge of:

• FDA Food Facility Registration
• FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule
• FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Rule

Working Conditions

• Primarily climate-controlled office environment.  Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.  Regular exposure to gases, vapors, dust and odors.  Occasional exposure to areas with wet floors and high volume of noise.  Some stair climbing is required.  Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies. 
• Travel of 25% to 50% to sites will be required to conduct audits.  
• Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies. 

Decision Making/Accountability

• Able to work unsupervised and make critical decisions on QA procedures and process that have direct implications to budgets and profitability, and food safety/quality of an agricultural processing plant.
• Abe to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple levels of management to make recommendations on QA results and process improvements.

Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities

• Is an active member of the facility SHE Program.  Maintains good working knowledge of SHE policies, rules and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to.  Ensures employees are provided required training for area assigned, and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work.  Ensures area of responsibility is maintained in orderly and safe manner.  Ensures unsafe working conditions are remedied as soon as practicable.  

#LI-hybrid

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Hybrid work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us