Educational & Certification Requirements
- Degree: A Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, or a strictly related field.
- HACCP Certification: Advanced training and certification in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems.
- ISO Standards: Certification in ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 (Food Safety Management Systems), or BRCGS, often with lead auditor credentials.
- Safety Certificates: Advanced food safety and hygiene certificates (e.g., ServSafe Manager or regional equivalents).
Professional Experience
- Industry Background: 3 to 7 years of hands-on experience in the Food & Beverage industry, food manufacturing, or large-scale hospitality.
- Leadership: At least 2 to 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role specifically overseeing quality control, assurance, or food safety operations.
- Auditing: Proven experience conducting internal facility audits and managing external supplier audits.
Core Skills & Competencies
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of local and international food safety regulations and health codes.
- Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze lab results, customer feedback, and quality metrics to identify trends and the root causes of food quality defects.
- SOP Development: Expertise in drafting, implementing, and strictly enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for food handling, sanitation, storage, and preparation.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to effectively train staff across all levels and negotiate with vendors and regulatory inspectors.
- Crisis Management: The capability to handle product recalls, severe customer complaints, or immediate food safety incidents swiftly and safely.
- Sensory Evaluation: Strong palate and sensory evaluation skills to ensure the consistent taste, texture, and visual presentation of products.
Primary Responsibilities
- Developing, maintaining, and updating the organization's Quality Management System (QMS).
- Conducting routine, unannounced inspections of kitchens, production lines, and storage facilities to ensure compliance.
- Evaluating, vetting, and approving raw material suppliers and ingredients.
- Designing and executing training programs for staff on hygiene, safety standards, and quality control procedures.
- Managing the budget for the quality department, including laboratory testing and sanitation supplies.