fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.With nearly $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.The construction of fairlife's manufacturing facility in Webster, NY is underway. This state-of-the-art, 750k sq ft, greenfield plant is expected to be operational in late 2025 and will lay the foundation for fairlife's next phase of growth as the leading dairy nutrition provider. While coupling the industry's latest technologies and fairlife's operational excellence to build this world-class facility, fairlife plans to hire 250 new employees and bring in approximately 5 million lbs. of milk a day, with room to grow over the coming years.Job purpose: The Regional Quality Director will lead and elevate food safety and quality programs across multisite low-acid aseptic bottling and PMO regulated dairy manufacturing sites. This role is critical in establishing robust processes, systems, and teams that support new production lines, ensuring strategic alignment with enterprise quality standards and objectives. Through effective quality system development and implementation, this role supports the supply chain and business goals, fostering continuous improvement and career growth within quality teams while driving progress across key performance indicators.Job scope: This role oversees a regional, multisite scope, encompassing the management of food safety and quality programs to ensure regulatory compliance and robust quality testing systems. The Regional Quality Director will support and develop plant quality personnel, offering training and growth opportunities, while providing subject matter expertise for operational and regulatory compliance. This role will liaise with regulatory bodies, third-party auditors, third-party logistics and distribution teams, and key Coca-Cola stakeholders as needed.Responsibilities:
Quality Management System- Develop and lead regional food safety, quality, and compliance programs to foster a proactive quality culture across new and existing production lines.
- Ensure an efficient hold and release process aligns with supply chain requirements.
- Oversee site lab operations and product testing programs to enhance food safety, specification adherence, and efficiency, reducing holds to support first-time-right metrics.
- Define and manage QA department budgets, providing fiscal direction across sites.
- Provide leadership, goal setting, and monitor performance of site quality managers to ensure business growth strategies are achieved.
Regulatory Compliance- Lead and support quality system audits, ensure implementation of corrective actions as necessary to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Liaison with enterprise quality systems manager to ensure compliance with regulatory permitting and licensing requirements.
- Support site regulatory inspection, system testing, and finished good testing programs.
- Provide SME regulatory support for operations and supply chain functions.
Quality Culture- Drive quality culture through personnel training on quality systems, methodologies, and management best practices.
- Design and implement training programs to elevate site quality capabilities.
- Support site QSE initiatives and liaison with key stakeholders.
Consumer Satisfaction- Closely monitor and report consumer insight trends and provide investigative support to resolve consumer concerns.
Site Audits & Certification- Support and partner with process authority and enterprise aseptic technical managers to conduct line validations, support site startup, line extensions, and conduct investigation of product quality failures.
- Support development, implementation, and monitoring of HACCP, HARPC, GMP, MSS, GFSI and ISO programs.
KPI & Reporting- Lead KPI improvement initiatives, focusing on quality performance across sites.
- Prepare and deliver performance reports to executive and senior leadership, highlighting regional site achievements against established KPIs.
skills/qualifications required:
- Bachelor's degree in Dairy, Food Science, Microbiology, or a related discipline required, with a strong working knowledge of the science of low acid aseptic products
- 10 years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified in a dairy extended shelf life (ESL) or low acid aseptic consumer package environment; able to apply LEAN thinking to QA in a factory environment
- Excellent knowledge of aseptic and ESL processing and filling requirements
- SME in FDA, PMO and GFSI requirements for ESL and aseptic beverages with a proven track record of working proactively with process authorities and regulatory agencies
- Either currently certified or actively working to achieve certification in: GFSI (FSSC 22000). HACCP, GMP, PCQI/FSMA, Internal Audit, and Better Process Control School
- A very strong proponent of QA process design and the utilization of LIMS, ERP, QA software to drive compliance and data availability
- Excellent communication - verbal and written
- Resourceful, well organized, highly dependable, efficient and detail orientated
- Confident, assertive and rational using science and data to inform and communicate decision making
- Ability to take initiative, and work autonomously
- Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Training in internal and external auditing to ISO 9001 preferred
- Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Office Visio
- Travel 30% annually, domestic and international
position location: Webster, NY; Coopersville, MI; Chicago, ILreports to: Senior Quality Directorexempt/nonexempt: Exemptbase pay range: $160,000 - $165,000*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of 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. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email ...@fairlife.com.