Job Details

Company and Position Information:

Del Monte Foods (DMFC) is a multinational food company headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, with a portfolio of brands including Del Monte, Contadina, and College Inn. Our products are present in six out of ten U.S. households.

At Del Monte Foods, we support our employees' growth and strive to provide accessible, nourishing, and great-tasting food for all. We are Del Monte Foods - Growers of Good.

The salary range for this role is: $126,465.60 - $227,506.01

Responsibilities:

The Director of Food Safety & Quality for Co-manufacturing and Suppliers oversees and manages Del Monte's food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across supplier networks, co-manufacturing, and external laboratories. This strategic leadership role involves developing and implementing quality assurance and food safety programs, managing relationships, and ensuring compliance with standards and regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, FSMA). The role requires collaboration with procurement, commercial, operations, logistics, and R&D teams to mitigate risks and drive improvements.

The role is a member of the DMF Food Safety and Quality Leadership Team, providing strategic leadership and technical support to realize the DMF FSQ Vision and Strategy, including achieving annual objectives and key metrics.

Co-Manufacturing Quality

• Partner with domestic and foreign co-manufacturers to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Guide the Co-manufacturer, FSQ, and Operations in ensuring new products and processes meet DMF standards without compromising safety and quality, including specifications, commissioning, validation, and qualification processes.
• Manage the FSQ Co-manufacturing group to ensure compliance of Co-Pack facilities via risk-based oversight and governance.
• Support investigations of quality incidents, ensuring thorough RCA and corrective actions, with prompt response and resolution.
• Assess risks for new product categories and provide governance to support innovation.
• Assist with audits at Co-Pack facilities and maintain GFSI certification.
• Monitor and report on co-manufacturer performance.

Supplier Quality

• Develop and improve supplier quality assurance programs, including approval, audits, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and ingredients meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Work with third-party providers of FSVP and co-packers to mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with operations to resolve quality and safety issues with suppliers.
• Conduct RCA and corrective actions for supplier-related issues.
• Monitor and report supplier performance.

External Laboratories

• Build relationships with external labs to align on expectations.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions related to lab issues.
• Ensure proper testing methods, frequencies, and analysis, including pesticide testing.
• Monitor and report lab performance.

Leadership

• Coordinate FSQ interactions with other units to maximize product quality.
• Develop and mentor the Food Safety & Quality team, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
• Promote personal development aligned with Del Monte's Vision & Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Del Monte Foods Leadership Behaviors:

As leaders, we:

• Connect teams to strategy, support success, and hold accountable.
• Solve problems collaboratively, enable risk-taking, and empower decision-making.
• Build trust, lead with empathy, and foster team growth.

Qualifications:

• BS/BA in Food Science, Science, Agriculture, or related; MS/MBA preferred.
• 8+ years in Food Safety, Quality, Co-manufacturing, and Supplier Quality, with manufacturing experience.
• Willingness to travel 40-60%, including internationally.
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing, packaging, processing, and distribution.
• Understanding of GFSI, Food Drug Act (Title 21), FSMA; thermal processing knowledge is a plus.
• Experience in crisis management, laboratory practices, and pesticide compliance.
• Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Proven ability to build teams, influence, and collaborate across levels.
• Cultural agility for international work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

We Offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401(k).

Please complete and submit an application for employment for the specific position. No sponsorship or third-party agencies are accepted.