Director of Supplier Food Safety and Quality Assurance - Whole Foods
Austin, TX
About the Job
Job Description
Are you passionate about ensuring the highest standards of food safety, and quality? Whole Foods Market is seeking a Director of Supplier Food Safety and Quality Assurance to lead our Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Supply Chain team. In this role, you will drive continuous improvement in product safety, quality, social responsibility, and compliance with both regulatory requirements and our own rigorous Whole Foods Market Quality Standards.This role is based in Austin, TX, with an expectation of being in the Store Support office five days a week.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead with Purpose:Guide the FSQA-Supplier team to success, aligning supplierswith Whole Foods Market’s standards and regulatory requirements.
Shape Quality Standards:Ensurefood safety andproduct qualityduringsupplieronboardingand at all points during the supplier relationshipincluding dealing withadverse events in supply chains.
Foster Communication:Clearly articulate quality expectations and key trends to both internal stakeholders and suppliers.
Stay Ahead of the Curve:Monitor industry developments and proactivelyidentifyopportunities for innovation and risk mitigation.
Embrace Technology:Investigate and implementinnovative technologiesto enhance FSQA programs.
Utilize Data:Capture performance data and use that to drive continuous improvements in supply chains and internal programs.
Build aFoodSafetyand QualityCulture:Continue to nurture and evolve a robust food safetyand qualityculture across our supply chainand within our company.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
10+ years ofseniorleadership experience in food retail, food service, or complexfood productionsupply chains
BS degree with 15-20 years of relevant experience (graduate degree preferred)
Technicalproficiencyin MS Office,Product Lifecycle Management systems such asOracle AgilePLM,CMX1,FoodLogiQ
Superior communication skills, both written and verbal
Strategic thinking with ability to execute tactically
Experience in process improvement, change management, and cost optimization
Strong relationship-building skills with executives and stakeholders
Able tocomprehendand assess food safety risks and deploy effective risk mitigation strategies in supply chains
Project management and risk assessmentexpertise
Understanding of WFM business, retail food industry, and keysupplierpartners
This position requires domestic and international travel (up to 30%)
PreferredQualifications:
International experience, particularly in the EU
High technical competency in category-specific knowledgeand specificallyhigh riskfood production
Experience with system deployment (e.g., CMX1) and managing technology
Remote team managementexperience
Consultinggroupandsecond/third partyresource managementexpertise
Field program leadership and staff scheduling experience
Strong teamdevelopment and succession planningtrack record
Key Competencies:
Ability to design and champion organizational mission, vision, and strategy
Experienced in team change management
Skill inidentifyingstrategic gaps and formulating solutions
Proficiencyin conducting reviews with team members, stakeholders, and partners
Capability to assess and optimize business functions and processes
Talent foridentifyingbusiness partnerinterdependencies and long-termrelationship development
At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.