Elmira Pet Products - Director of Food Safety and Quality

About the job

We are looking for our next Director of Food Safety and Quality to join the Elmira Pet Team!

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Food Safety and Quality provides leadership and direction to the Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Sanitation teams. This role ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements and collaborates with internal and external vendors and customers on food safety and quality initiatives.

Come join a great team at a locally owned, Canadian company!

Who we are:

Elmira Pet Products is Canada’s largest private label dry pet food manufacturer, offering unique solutions that drive growth for our global partners. With over 40 years of experience, we produce a comprehensive range of products, including therapeutic diets, holistic options, premium selections, mid-range, and budget-friendly formulations.

Our diverse customer base includes well-known brands in mass merchandise, grocery, and pet specialty channels. Additionally, our expertise allows us to craft unique diets tailored to niche markets. By joining Elmira Pet Products, you become part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence and innovation in pet nutrition.

Visit our website at: http://www.elmirapet.com

Connecting Innovation, Quality, and Value with Pet Food.

What we offer:

We offer a competitive salary, a great benefits package, RRSP matching program, and bonus/incentives program.

At our company, we believe in fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member feels valued and empowered.

We have company events, such as BBQ’s and Christmas Party, giveaways, activities, and fantastic pet food product discounts – awesome for people who have pets!

What you'll do:

Food Safety and Quality Program Management

• Implement and maintain the company’s Food Safety Program.

• Implement and maintain the company’s GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) scheme – namely BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards).

• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are identified and implemented to address food safety and quality non-conformances.

• Report on quality performance and trends.

• Prepare for and participate in all third-party audits for customers, government agencies, etc.

• Oversee the sanitation program including results and performance of sanitation activities.

• Oversee the pest control program.

• Set, monitor and manage within the budget for the Food Safety and Quality department.

• Provide technical training to management and employees, vendors and customers regarding food safety.

• Oversee the design, implementation and monitoring of the microbial programs.

• Provide technical training to management and employees, vendors and customers regarding food safety.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and guide a cross-functional team to maintain and enhance food safety performance, ensuring standards are met or exceeded.

• Engage all employees for continuous feedback to improve the effectiveness of the food safety and quality Programs. Be present to employees to have one on one dialogue.

• Lead continuous improvement cross-functional teams.

• Provide leadership to food safety and food defense initiatives and HACCP and BRC.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure effective processes are in place for risk management, regulatory, food safety and quality assurance/control techniques.

• Ensure documentation management and control in line with all applicable requirements.

Customer and Supplier Relations

• Oversee customer interactions and customer complaint management and response processes.

• Represent Food Safety and Quality in the Supplier Approval Program ensuring all suppliers have acceptable/current food safety/quality programs in place. Also ensure they have effective traceability programs in place.
  

Policy and Procedure Development

• Review and streamline existing QA policies and procedures eliminating redundancy and ineffective practices.

• Implement new policies and procedures that provide the ability to meet effective and efficient quality standards and allow EPP to comply with our customers’ expectations/requirements.

Other duties as assigned.

Safety Responsibility:

All supervisors at Elmira Pet Products are accountable for the physical and psychological health and safety of workers under their supervision. They are responsible for ensuring that conditions are safe and that those under their supervision are aware of any known hazards of the job and work in compliance with established safe work procedures and OHSA. This includes the following:

• Model and encourage safe behaviour. Ensure employees follow all safe work practices and address non-conformances immediately and through progressive discipline.

• Ensure they and their employees participate in health and safety training.

• Report injuries and illness, and any known hazards and missing or defective equipment to their supervisor, and the Health and Safety Department.

• Participate in the safety process including incident investigations, return to work management, and corrective actions as required.

• Collaborate towards a positive working environment.

Contractor ©:

• Ensure all contract employees are aware of and adhering to EPP health and safety policies.

• Ensure all contractors are enrolled and qualified through the contractor management software.

What you'll have:

• University Degree in Food Science, Biology or Chemistry or other related field.

• Senior level management experience in food safety and product quality in a progressive manufacturing environment, food manufacturing preferred.

• Robust knowledge and understanding of HACCP and BRC programs and standards.

• Strong sense of discretion, diplomacy and good judgement to handle confidential and sensitive information.

• Strong management, leadership and delegation skills.

• Strong communication skills with internal and external partners.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Self-motivated and highly organized with a strong focus on attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to work independently and part of a team.

• Ability to influence and communicate a clear and compelling vision and ensure execution of food safety systems and procedures across all levels of Company.

Salary Range: Salary will be based on the successful candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.

Interested candidates are encouraged to send a cover letter and resume to: Nikkie Kudoba at [email protected] by April 14, 2025.

Only those who submit a cover letter and resume to the email listed will be considered for the role

Applications will be considered as they are received, so we encourage candidates to apply early! We thank all applicants for considering Elmira Pet Products as their next career opportunity!

We are an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), Elmira Pet Products will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require disability – related accommodations, please inform the Human Resources (HR) staff. All personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

For more information click here.