Ventura Foods
Vice President of Quality and Food Safety
Ventura Foods, Irvine, California, United States, 92713
Vice President of Quality and Food Safety
Join to apply for the
Vice President of Quality and Food Safety
role at
Ventura Foods .
The Vice President of Quality and Food Safety is responsible for developing and leading the strategy and implementation for all aspects of the Ventura Foods quality and food safety initiatives so that policies and systems are relevant and maintain a progressive approach. This role will lead quality assurance teams which encompass 15 U.S. plants, 1 Canadian plant, and 6 copackers. It will manage all aspects of communication, execution, and training for adherence to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), USDA, other domestic and foreign regulatory agencies, and key customer accounts. The VP will also coordinate projects and training support for operations teams, liaise with functional groups including Manufacturing, R&D, HS&E, Sales, Marketing, HR, Procurement, the Executive Leadership Team, and key customer accounts. Additionally, the VP will serve as point person and liaison for communication to regulatory agencies to ensure responsiveness and timeliness of programs, and will lead any quality and food safety related disputes with key customers.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Lead initiatives to enhance, communicate change, and maintain company quality and food safety prerequisite programs such as GMPs and SSOPs.
Direct the effort of regional quality managers and drive transition of the HACCP program to HARPC while promoting a quality culture throughout the organization.
Guide the plant QA organization to ensure manufacturing of quality and food‑safe products and improve sanitation and quality control practices.
Oversee food regulatory matters, including crisis management and recall/retrievals.
Provide guidance to management on regulatory compliance, responses, and actions.
Collaborate cross‑functionally, educating and training staff, operations management, and leadership on the quality and food safety system prerequisites.
Develop and maintain a quality systems and food safety strategy related to auditing, and manage internal and external third‑party audit programs.
Manage group and budget, work with HR to develop staff skills and career paths, and maintain the Ventura Foods knowledge base.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
15+ years of quality, food safety, regulatory, or related field experience leading multi‑plant operations.
10+ years of progressive management experience.
Executive‑level communication across diverse audiences.
Proven success building and holding high‑performing teams and leading change management.
Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and international food safety regulations.
Ability to travel up to 30% in North America.
Bachelor’s degree in a technical science field highly desired.
Advanced science degree strongly preferred.
Food or pharmaceutical manufacturing quality experience highly desired.
Knowledge of sanitation and regulatory compliance helpful.
Knowledge and Skills
Complete understanding of FSMA, FDA 21 CFR, and USDA FSIS Directive policies.
Experience with HACCP, HARPC, GMP, and sanitation programs.
Knowledge of food microbiology, thermal processing, and acidified foods a plus.
Why Join Us Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses, delivering exclusive products to iconic restaurants and retailers. We provide ready‑to‑go solutions, foster a safe environment, and challenge our teams. At Ventura Foods, your growth is limited only by how much you push yourself. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.
Compensation and Benefits
Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision coverage starting on day one.
Profit sharing and 401(k) matching after eligibility criteria are met.
Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
Employee appreciation events and employee assistance programs.
Salary base range of $250,499.00 – $341,932.50*
Annual bonus based on incentive program terms and conditions.
*The “base salary range” above is a good faith estimate. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside this range based on candidate skills, job complexity, budgetary factors, and location.
Diversity & Inclusion Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment ensures all employees are treated with respect and respect. We foster inclusion and diversity across our organization, driving innovation and meeting high customer expectations in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Equal Opportunity Employer Ventura Foods is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Vice President of Quality and Food Safety
role at
Ventura Foods .
The Vice President of Quality and Food Safety is responsible for developing and leading the strategy and implementation for all aspects of the Ventura Foods quality and food safety initiatives so that policies and systems are relevant and maintain a progressive approach. This role will lead quality assurance teams which encompass 15 U.S. plants, 1 Canadian plant, and 6 copackers. It will manage all aspects of communication, execution, and training for adherence to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), USDA, other domestic and foreign regulatory agencies, and key customer accounts. The VP will also coordinate projects and training support for operations teams, liaise with functional groups including Manufacturing, R&D, HS&E, Sales, Marketing, HR, Procurement, the Executive Leadership Team, and key customer accounts. Additionally, the VP will serve as point person and liaison for communication to regulatory agencies to ensure responsiveness and timeliness of programs, and will lead any quality and food safety related disputes with key customers.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Lead initiatives to enhance, communicate change, and maintain company quality and food safety prerequisite programs such as GMPs and SSOPs.
Direct the effort of regional quality managers and drive transition of the HACCP program to HARPC while promoting a quality culture throughout the organization.
Guide the plant QA organization to ensure manufacturing of quality and food‑safe products and improve sanitation and quality control practices.
Oversee food regulatory matters, including crisis management and recall/retrievals.
Provide guidance to management on regulatory compliance, responses, and actions.
Collaborate cross‑functionally, educating and training staff, operations management, and leadership on the quality and food safety system prerequisites.
Develop and maintain a quality systems and food safety strategy related to auditing, and manage internal and external third‑party audit programs.
Manage group and budget, work with HR to develop staff skills and career paths, and maintain the Ventura Foods knowledge base.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
15+ years of quality, food safety, regulatory, or related field experience leading multi‑plant operations.
10+ years of progressive management experience.
Executive‑level communication across diverse audiences.
Proven success building and holding high‑performing teams and leading change management.
Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and international food safety regulations.
Ability to travel up to 30% in North America.
Bachelor’s degree in a technical science field highly desired.
Advanced science degree strongly preferred.
Food or pharmaceutical manufacturing quality experience highly desired.
Knowledge of sanitation and regulatory compliance helpful.
Knowledge and Skills
Complete understanding of FSMA, FDA 21 CFR, and USDA FSIS Directive policies.
Experience with HACCP, HARPC, GMP, and sanitation programs.
Knowledge of food microbiology, thermal processing, and acidified foods a plus.
Why Join Us Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses, delivering exclusive products to iconic restaurants and retailers. We provide ready‑to‑go solutions, foster a safe environment, and challenge our teams. At Ventura Foods, your growth is limited only by how much you push yourself. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.
Compensation and Benefits
Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision coverage starting on day one.
Profit sharing and 401(k) matching after eligibility criteria are met.
Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
Employee appreciation events and employee assistance programs.
Salary base range of $250,499.00 – $341,932.50*
Annual bonus based on incentive program terms and conditions.
*The “base salary range” above is a good faith estimate. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside this range based on candidate skills, job complexity, budgetary factors, and location.
Diversity & Inclusion Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment ensures all employees are treated with respect and respect. We foster inclusion and diversity across our organization, driving innovation and meeting high customer expectations in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Equal Opportunity Employer Ventura Foods is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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