FSQ Director

This role has ownership for leading the Food Safety & Quality functional strategies across the Cluster with a focus on Quality and Food Safety programmes, risk mitigation, people leadership and development. It is an exciting opportunity for the right individual with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills to make an impact and create and sustain a customer-focused Food Safety & Quality operation across the Cluster.

This position reports into our FSQ Lead for Europe and will require approx 50% of travel regionally to meet business requirements. 

Key responsibilities

This is a business critical role with broad scope and responsibility:

• This role has ownership for Food Safety & Quality across the Cluster aligning objectives through the lens of all Kerry’s key customers. It is therefore an exciting opportunity for the right individual with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills to make an impact and create a customer focused Food Safety & Quality operation in the Europe region.
• Globally lead, regionally implemented standards: The role will be responsible for implementing Kerry Global FSQ standards within the Cluster in conjunction with FSQ leadership team & in effective partnership with Operations leadership.
• Lead the Cluster food safety & quality function with a focus on customers, strategy, policies, food safety programmes and risk mitigation.
• This role will be responsible for standardising the best practice way of working across multiple countries and plants in Cluster. They will be required to create the momentum, pace and buy-in needed to make this happen.
• Support the execution of the overall FSQ strategy, support sites in the development of objectives and subsequent work plans.
• Understand and apply PCQI, SPC, HACCP, GMP and food & Pharma technology knowledge to identify opportunities and guide improvement plans.
• Communicate FSQ incidents and corrective actions in a timely, thorough, and effective manner.
• Monitor site FSQ KPIs and financial performance across the manufacturing sites.

The role therefore has the following main facets:

Mix of both strategy and operations External customer focus International reach FSQ budget management Leadership and people development Transformation/Change and stakeholder management

Qualifications and skills

To be successful in this role, you will bring a mix of strategic and operational experience as well as a proven track record in people development at a leadership level preferably within a global organisations The role will require:

• Proven knowledge of food, Pharma & supplements industry and latest customer/consumer expectations.
• Experience in numerous technical functional roles such as: supply quality, quality systems, regulatory, R&D, manufacturing, laboratory management, sustainability.
• Strong background in food chemistry, raw materials, sensory, microbiology, food packaging systems and food engineering.
• Track record of being able to identify and drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives.
• Clear customer focus with specific evidence to suggest he/she builds strong relationships based on trust and inspires confidence in customers. 
• Strong evidence to suggest he/she has managed talent for a global organisation and built winning teams.

Competencies Required:

• Professional qualification in Food Safety, pharmacy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related science field
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in a Quality leadership role
• Knowledge of cGMP, ICH guidelines, GFSI, IMF an advantage
• Strong background in food safety, auditing, quality systems and audit standards, customer engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, relationship management and influencing skills as well as stakeholder management skills to be able work across all levels internally and externally.
• Proven experience in change management and continuous improvement. A change agent. Energised by making a difference and comfortable dealing with ambiguity.
• Knowledge and experience in relevant quality management systems and organisations e.g., ISO.
• Expert observation, analysis, and judgement (i.e., analytical, and objective mind-set).
• International / Global outlook
• Executive presence: demonstrates gravitas, credibility and wins trust.
• Results focus, service delivery mindset and pragmatic approach.

What's in it for me?

Opportunity for career development in a Global multifaceted business  Matched pension scheme to up to 10%  Healthcare Allowance Life Assurance Policy 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays  Access to an employee assistance program and employee benefit platform. 

In Kerry we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences.

One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life.

One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together.

We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

​Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kerry and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

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