Director of Quality Assurance

• Lead the implementation and oversight of the corporate Quality Management and Traceability Programs, including HACCP and related food safety systems.
• Act as the primary quality control resource for issue identification, resolution, loss reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee allergen management programs and ensure that labeling and packaging meet regulatory compliance for all destination markets.
• Design, implement, and maintain procedures for process control, process improvement, testing, and inspection.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement strategies.

• Oversee in-house laboratory operations for product testing and sample analysis.
• Manage relationships and quality standards with third-party laboratories.
• Ensure timely and accurate testing to support product quality, compliance, and safety.

• Manage the product specification system and lead the implementation of a new system (Trace Grain).
• Oversee and maintain the corporate Quality Assurance software, ensuring it supports compliance, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Establish, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of quality systems (e.g., process capability, control charts, measurement quality).
• Report quality issues, trends, and losses to senior management.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies including CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), and other relevant agencies.
• Ensure all products and processes comply with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Support third-party and customer certification programs, including audit preparation and follow-up.
• Import/export regulatory compliance (certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Coordinate cross-functional quality initiatives across diverse East Coast operations, including facilities in Eastern Canada and Maine.
• Provide quality assurance support to other Cooke operations as required.
• Support the corporate New Product Development (NPD) team to ensure quality is integrated from concept to commercialization.

• Oversee performance evaluation systems for the Quality Assurance team, fostering a culture of accountability and development.
• Develop and manage the corporate Quality Assurance budget, ensuring it includes measurable targets and aligns with corporate goals.
• Develop and maintain internal process certification standards and support company-wide audit and certification activities.

• In-depth knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) including HACCP, GMP, and traceability systems.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations and standards (CFIA, FDA, GFSI schemes like SQF or BRC, etc.).
• Experience with lab operations, including oversight of both in-house and third-party laboratory testing protocols.
• Familiarity with product specification systems, especially the implementation and management of platforms like Trace Grain.
• Ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements in labeling, allergen management, and product claims.
• Knowledge of process control tools such as SPC (Statistical Process Control), control charts, and root cause analysis methods (e.g., Fishbone, 5 Whys, FMEA).
• Audit readiness and certification management, including experience with internal and external audits.

• Strong analytical skills to interpret lab results, trend data, and KPIs to identify quality issues and opportunities.
• Process improvement expertise, including Lean or Six Sigma methodologies (certification a plus).
• Critical thinking and decision-making in high-stakes or time-sensitive quality issues.

• Proven leadership experience, ideally managing multi-site QA/QC teams.
• Budgeting and resource planning abilities.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, particularly across geographically distributed sites.
• Ability to manage performance evaluations, training, and development of quality team staff.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reporting, policy writing, and audit documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with internal teams (NPD, Operations, Supply Chain) and external stakeholders (labs, regulators, certifiers).
• Comfortable dealing with government agencies and acting as the face of the organization in regulatory matters.

• Proficiency in quality management software, ERP systems, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, or similar).
• Experience with product specification software (such as Trace Grain or similar platforms).
• Competency in digital document control systems for SOPs, quality manuals, audit trails, and test records.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or a related field (Master’s preferred for senior-level roles).
• Professional certifications (e.g., HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner, ASQ Certified Quality Auditor/Manager).
• 7+ years of progressive experience in food quality assurance, with at least 3 years in a leadership or multi-site role.

• Health Benefits: Includes coverage for dental, vision, and extended medical care.
• Insurance: Life and disability insurance provided for financial security.
• Support Services: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Financial Planning: Opportunity for RRSP matching to support your retirement savings.
• Time Off: Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave for work-life balance.
• Wellness: Wellness programs and access to on-site gym facilities (available in some locations).
• Career Development: Professional growth opportunities and avenues for advancement.
• Perks: Employee discounts on company products or services.
• Convenience: On-site parking or parking allowance.

Cooke Aquaculture