Food Safety & Quality Manager - Plant Proteins - Louis Dreyfus Company

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 17,000 people globally.

This individual will represent the Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) function within the Plant Proteins business. The primary responsibility is to ensure FSQ standards and requirements are designed and integrated into the industrialization and trading process for all products. This role will collaborate closely with the broader Global FSQ team to drive a Total Quality mindset in serving internal and external customers.

Main Responsibilities

Overall

• Act as the FSQ lead and quality assurance and quality compliance subject matter expert for LDC Plant Proteins
• Proactively support the business to identify and mitigate potential FSQ risk in existing supply chains, business expansion discussions and coordinate, together with facility QA teams, all QA/QC tasks for new facilities (hygienic design - infrastructure, equipment, operational hygiene and laboratory design, layout and equipment selection)
• Bring expertise to regional FSQ teams and support the overall development of the global FSQ organization

Customer Centricity

• Proactively provide and facilitate technical support (food safety, quality and regulatory) during customer qualification of LDC manufacturing sites and products including but not limited to FSQ documentation/statements, customer questionnaires, onsite audits/visits:
  • Customers’ qualifications: prepare, update and provide quality documentations (e.g. nutritional data, allergen statement) to customers during the qualification process. Address customers’ specific questions regarding our internal quality procedures (e.g. allergen management, heavy metals)
  • Customers’ particular specifications: drive discussions with customers to understand specific requirements, challenge customers positions and decide on particular specifications for some customers (e.g. MOSH/MOA, soy/gluten max level etc). Capture this information in appropriate tools to facilitate supply chain planning, while guaranteeing particular specifications to these customers
  • Customers’ claims: manage customers claim regarding quality of delivered products, in coordination with the commercial team.
• Organize, assist with, and attend on-site and off-site customer visits to explain the food safety measures taken by the business
• Provide resource support to facilitate RCA to customer complaints, audit non-conformances and regulatory inspections / audits
• Assist facility FSQ teams with customer audits and remediation plans
• Work with global FSQ leads to standardize all technical documentation to ensure customers receive common and standardized information

Procedures & Governance

• Lead the adoption of standards and continuous improvement in the areas of FSQ for LDC Plant Proteins, and contribute to improving global standards for LDC overall
• Establish goals and identify KPIs to support the execution of a FSQ improvement strategy for the business
• Work with internal and external FSQ teams to design, implement Food Safety plans compliant with FSMA regulations, GFSI benchmarked standards, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and identify risks with appropriate mitigation strategies
• Work with regional FSQ teams to establish the manufacturing conditions, obtain all operational certifications such as SQF/BRC, CFIA/FDA registration and practices needed in place before a manufacturing plant, internal or external to LDC, can manufacture global LDC Plant Protein products
• Act as the POC and work with facility FSQ teams to obtain product certifications (Kosher, Halal, Organic, NGMO-PV) as appropriate
• Support and facilitate a risk-based approval and maintenance program for supplier and service provider vendors in alignment with global and regional strategies
• Ensure compliance to FSVP (foreign supplier verification program) as applicable
• Be the “gatekeeper” of all documentations required to support the development of the Plant Proteins product portfolio

Experience

• 10+ years combined experience in food/ingredient food Safety, quality and regulatory and manufacturing setting
• Demonstratable expertise in FSQ management systems, microbiological and chemical risk mitigation, Food regulations.
• PCQI - human food certification and FDQI certification required
• Experience within food ingredient for human nutrition and or plant proteins is a plus
• Working knowledge of food regulations and in particular EU, Canada, US and South America. Functional knowledge of test methods FDA BAM, AOCS, ASTM and ISO17025
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to LDC operations.
• Strong knowledge and experience performing audits of food & feed safety and quality management systems, FSMA requirements, and GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) and ISO standards. Feed safety in form of GMP+/FAMI QS
• Demonstrated ability to interpret FSQ audit and test results and define and communicate corrective actions as needed
• Functional knowledge of REACH, Prop 65, and CONEG, GRAS, BE Disclosure, PFAS

Other skills (Computer Skills, etc)

• Ability to work cross-functionally within organization
• Must be adaptable and flexible
• Self-driven, results oriented, able to work independently
• Excellent communication / presentation skills
• Excellent record keeping / documentation skills
• Detail oriented
• Able to quickly learn new systems, tools, and programs

Languages:

• English Language fluency required

Academics

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science or similar,  MS or PhD is a plus 

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards

Diversity is part of our DNA. LDC strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment where people can thrive regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or background.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us.

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Hybrid work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us