VP of Quality Recruitment
VP of Quality & Director of Food Safety Recruitment for US Food Manufacturing
VP of Quality & Director of Food Safety Recruitment for US Food Manufacturing
Finding the right VP of Quality or Director of Food Safety is critical for protecting your brand, maintaining SQF and GFSI certification, and passing FDA, USDA, and customer audits across US food manufacturing operations. Our Quality leadership search identifies executives who can build food safety culture, manage allergen and recall risk, and lead through unannounced regulatory inspections — not just pass audits on a scheduled day.
VP of Quality & Director of Food Safety Recruitment for US Food Manufacturing
Finding the right VP of Quality or Director of Food Safety is critical for protecting your brand, maintaining SQF and GFSI certification, and passing FDA, USDA, and customer audits across US food manufacturing operations. Our Quality leadership search identifies executives who can build food safety culture, manage allergen and recall risk, and lead through unannounced regulatory inspections — not just pass audits on a scheduled day.
Typical Quality Director Requirements:
10+ years quality leadership in US food manufacturing. SQF Edition 9 or GFSI-equivalent (BRCGS, FSSC 22000). Deep FSMA and PCQI knowledge. HACCP Lead Instructor or equivalent. Allergen control and recall-readiness experience. Proven through FDA and USDA inspections. Multi-site responsibility advantageous. Food Science, Microbiology, or Food Technology degree preferred. Bilingual (Spanish) a strong plus in many regions.
Sectors We Recruit For:
Bakery and Snacks. Dairy and Cheese. Meat, Poultry, and Seafood. Ready Meals and Refrigerated Foods. Frozen Foods. Beverages and Functional Drinks. Confectionery. Plant-Based and Alternative Protein. Pet Food. Ingredients and Co-Manufacturing.
Base Salary Ranges (2026):
Northeast: $170,000 – $215,000
Midwest: $150,000 – $190,000
Southeast: $145,000 – $185,000
West Coast: $175,000 – $225,000
Add 15–25% target bonus, 401(k) match, full benefits, and equity at PE-backed firms.
Why Our Quality Director Recruitment Works:
Quality leaders in US food manufacturing have to balance brand protection, regulatory compliance, and customer-audit performance — across SQF, BRCGS, and GFSI standards, under FDA and USDA oversight, with FSMA-compliant programs. Our candidates have proven records of clearing unannounced inspections, leading recall response, building HACCP and PCQI teams, and embedding food safety culture from the floor up. Every Quality placement is backed by Williams365 — a full 12 months of protection covering at least one complete audit cycle and peak production season.
Typical Benefits:
Annual bonus 15–25%. 401(k) with 4–6% employer match. Full medical, dental, and vision (typical 80% employer-paid premium). Life and disability insurance. 15–25 days PTO plus paid holidays. Relocation package. RSUs or equity participation at PE-backed and pre-IPO firms. Professional development budget (IFT, SQF, AOAC).
Recent Quality Director Placements:
VP of Quality — National Bakery Group, 6 plants (SQF re-certification with zero major non-conformances)
Director of Food Safety — Plant-Based Protein Manufacturer (FSMA-PCQI program build-out, zero recalls in 18 months)
Director of Quality — Dairy Co-op, 4-site operation (FDA warning letter remediated within 90 days)
VP FSQA — Frozen Foods Manufacturer (built FSQA team from 8 to 26, zero failed audits in 24 months)
Typical Quality Director Requirements:
10+ years quality leadership in US food manufacturing. SQF Edition 9 or GFSI-equivalent (BRCGS, FSSC 22000). Deep FSMA and PCQI knowledge. HACCP Lead Instructor or equivalent. Allergen control and recall-readiness experience. Proven through FDA and USDA inspections. Multi-site responsibility advantageous. Food Science, Microbiology, or Food Technology degree preferred. Bilingual (Spanish) a strong plus in many regions.
Typical Benefits:
Annual bonus 15–25%. 401(k) with 4–6% employer match. Full medical, dental, and vision (typical 80% employer-paid premium). Life and disability insurance. 15–25 days PTO plus paid holidays. Relocation package. RSUs or equity participation at PE-backed and pre-IPO firms. Professional development budget (IFT, SQF, AOAC).
Why Our Quality Director Recruitment Works:
Quality leaders in US food manufacturing have to balance brand protection, regulatory compliance, and customer-audit performance — across SQF, BRCGS, and GFSI standards, under FDA and USDA oversight, with FSMA-compliant programs. Our candidates have proven records of clearing unannounced inspections, leading recall response, building HACCP and PCQI teams, and embedding food safety culture from the floor up. Every Quality placement is backed by Williams365 — a full 12 months of protection covering at least one complete audit cycle and peak production season.
Base Salary Ranges (2026):
Northeast: $170,000 – $215,000
Midwest: $150,000 – $190,000
Southeast: $145,000 – $185,000
West Coast: $175,000 – $225,000
Add 15–25% target bonus, 401(k) match, full benefits, and equity at PE-backed firms.
Sectors We Recruit For:
Bakery and Snacks. Dairy and Cheese. Meat, Poultry, and Seafood. Ready Meals and Refrigerated Foods. Frozen Foods. Beverages and Functional Drinks. Confectionery. Plant-Based and Alternative Protein. Pet Food. Ingredients and Co-Manufacturing.
Recent Quality Director Placements:
VP of Quality — National Bakery Group, 6 plants (SQF re-certification with zero major non-conformances)
Director of Food Safety — Plant-Based Protein Manufacturer (FSMA-PCQI program build-out, zero recalls in 18 months)
Director of Quality — Dairy Co-op, 4-site operation (FDA warning letter remediated within 90 days)
VP FSQA — Frozen Foods Manufacturer (built FSQA team from 8 to 26, zero failed audits in 24 months)
Typical Quality Director Requirements:
10+ years quality leadership in US food manufacturing. SQF Edition 9 or GFSI-equivalent (BRCGS, FSSC 22000). Deep FSMA and PCQI knowledge. HACCP Lead Instructor or equivalent. Allergen control and recall-readiness experience. Proven through FDA and USDA inspections. Multi-site responsibility advantageous. Food Science, Microbiology, or Food Technology degree preferred. Bilingual (Spanish) a strong plus in many regions.
Base Salary Ranges (2026):
Northeast: $170,000 – $215,000
Midwest: $150,000 – $190,000
Southeast: $145,000 – $185,000
West Coast: $175,000 – $225,000
Add 15–25% target bonus, 401(k) match, full benefits, and equity at PE-backed firms.
Typical Benefits:
Annual bonus 15–25%. 401(k) with 4–6% employer match. Full medical, dental, and vision (typical 80% employer-paid premium). Life and disability insurance. 15–25 days PTO plus paid holidays. Relocation package. RSUs or equity participation at PE-backed and pre-IPO firms. Professional development budget (IFT, SQF, AOAC).
Sectors We Recruit For:
Bakery and Snacks. Dairy and Cheese. Meat, Poultry, and Seafood. Ready Meals and Refrigerated Foods. Frozen Foods. Beverages and Functional Drinks. Confectionery. Plant-Based and Alternative Protein. Pet Food. Ingredients and Co-Manufacturing.
Why Our Quality Director Recruitment Works:
Quality leaders in US food manufacturing have to balance brand protection, regulatory compliance, and customer-audit performance — across SQF, BRCGS, and GFSI standards, under FDA and USDA oversight, with FSMA-compliant programs. Our candidates have proven records of clearing unannounced inspections, leading recall response, building HACCP and PCQI teams, and embedding food safety culture from the floor up. Every Quality placement is backed by Williams365 — a full 12 months of protection covering at least one complete audit cycle and peak production season.
Recent Quality Director Placements:
VP of Quality — National Bakery Group, 6 plants (SQF re-certification with zero major non-conformances)
Director of Food Safety — Plant-Based Protein Manufacturer (FSMA-PCQI program build-out, zero recalls in 18 months)
Director of Quality — Dairy Co-op, 4-site operation (FDA warning letter remediated within 90 days)
VP FSQA — Frozen Foods Manufacturer (built FSQA team from 8 to 26, zero failed audits in 24 months)
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