Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA)

• Location:
  
  On-site in either Lower Mainland, British Columbia or Southeast Ontario
• Industry: Multi‑site agribusiness & fresh food processing

Our client is a well‑established, privately held agribusiness with operations across Canada and a strong global supply chain. With decades of history and multi‑generational leadership, the organization has grown into one of North America’s leading producers, processors, and distributors within the fruit and value‑added food sector.

The company operates a vertically integrated model, including farming, processing, and distribution, and partners closely with international growers and suppliers. It maintains a strong culture grounded in quality, sustainability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. With multiple high‑volume processing facilities and a growing footprint, the organization is seeking a senior FSQA leader who can elevate an already strong quality and food safety platform to meet the demands of future growth.

The Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance will provide strategic leadership and hands‑on oversight of the company’s enterprise‑wide FSQA programs across field operations, fresh and frozen production, and multi‑site processing facilities. Reporting to the President, the Director will shape and enhance the culture of food safety, strengthen compliance systems, optimize quality processes, and ensure the organization consistently meets or exceeds regulatory and customer requirements.

This is a highly visible role with significant influence over operational standards, customer relationships, and brand protection.

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality assurance programs across all sites.
• Ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements (CFIA, USDA, FSMA, GFSI, HACCP, GMPs).
• Oversee traceability, sanitation, supplier quality, risk management, and non‑conformance processes.
• Maintain all documentation required for customer approvals, certifications, and audits.
• Lead all customer, regulatory, and third‑party audits and corrective action programs.
• Develop and track KPIs, reporting performance to senior leadership.
• Partner with operations leaders to drive continuous improvement and operational consistency.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to a department of approximately 30 FSQA professionals across multiple sites.
• Oversee departmental budgeting and long‑term quality strategy.

While no individual will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal competencies:

• 10+ years of progressive FSQA leadership within high‑risk foods, horticulture, or multi‑site food processing.
• A Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s preferred).
• Expertise in regulated environments involving CFIA, USDA, and international food safety systems.
• Demonstrated leadership of large, multi‑site FSQA teams.
• Depth in HACCP, GFSI, FSMA, GMPs, root cause analysis, and preventative quality methodologies.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence and build consensus across organizational levels.
• A track record of successfully navigating audits, customer requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• High integrity, sound judgement, and professionalism.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to inspire teams.
• Strong analytical capability with exceptional attention to detail.
• Comfort working both strategically and hands‑on.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

• This is an on‑site role based in either the Lower Mainland of BC or Southeast Ontario.
• Travel within Canada and internationally will be required.

If you are interested in this role and meet the above criteria, please click the “Apply” button to send your resume directly to Jay Borchert.