Associate Director of Ingredient Quality & Continuous Improvement

The company is a forward-thinking leader in the food supply chain industry, dedicated to innovating and improving the way meals and ingredients are delivered across North America. As a mission-driven organization, it thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that fosters inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous growth. The company offers comprehensive health and wellness benefits, competitive compensation, and career advancement opportunities that align with its vision of disrupting traditional food systems to enhance customer experiences and product quality.

The role of Associate Director of Ingredient Quality & Continuous Improvement (North America) is a critical leadership position that bridges the gap between quality data and operational execution. This position is not a desk job; it requires a hands-on leader who is deeply involved in the entire quality improvement lifecycle—from identifying systemic failures to implementing solutions across the supply chain, including suppliers, operations, and distribution centers, ensuring that quality standards are consistently met and improved. The individual in this role will be the chief architect and primary project owner for North American quality standards, taking full ownership of quality programs, data-driven insights, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role demands a leader who thrives both strategically and tactically: able to present long-term quality roadmaps to executive leadership yet comfortable resolving on-the-ground operational challenges. The Associate Director will lead the development of a unified quality focus strategy, build automated systems for real-time quality tracking, and drive accountability by translating quality KPIs into actionable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at distribution centers. They must maintain active engagement throughout project lifecycles, ensuring that defect rates decline and process changes are fully adopted.

Additionally, this leader must embody a continuous improvement mentality by applying Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste and reduce ingredient damage, directly impacting cost-efficiency and product excellence. They will work cross-functionally with Product, Procurement, Operations, and Logistics teams to serve as the primary quality liaison and problem solver.

The position requires a minimum of eight years of experience in food safety, quality, or operational excellence, accompanied by a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Supply Chain, or Engineering, with Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt highly preferred. Mastery of data visualization tools such as Tableau or PowerBI and a deep understanding of food safety regulations like SQF and HACCP are essential. The role also includes travel up to 25% across North American distribution centers to ensure consistent process implementation and quality standards.

Compensation ranges from $140,000 to $170,000 USD annually, reflecting the high-impact nature and leadership responsibility of the role. The company additionally offers a competitive hourly rate, 401K company match that vests immediately, team bonus opportunities, generous paid time off with flexible attendance policies, comprehensive health and wellness benefits starting on day one, substantial discounts on meal subscription plans, and access to diverse employee resource groups supporting a wide array of identities including BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+ employees.

This position is ideal for a dedicated operator who is a finisher by nature, able to manage and close complex projects while remaining actively engaged on-site. The successful candidate will be an influential communicator and talent developer who inspires their team and organizational leaders to prioritize quality, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain network.