How would we describe a career with Agri-Mark/McCadam/Cabot Creamery? More than 100 years of: Farmers, Family, Mission, Purpose, Sustainability, Respect, Integrity, Work Ethic, Teamwork, Pride in Award Winning Products, and Agriculture.

Cabot Creamery achieved B Corp certification in 2012 and became the world’s first dairy co-op to do so. This certification demonstrates our commitment to transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.

The Vice President of Quality Assurance, Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance is responsible for developing and implementing company-wide food safety and quality standards in alignment with industry regulations and best practices reflecting our company’s commitment to producing the highest quality dairy products. This executive will lead all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across our dairy manufacturing, warehousing and distribution operations, ensuring consistent implementation of best practices in food safety, quality systems, HACCP, GMPs, and continuous improvement. This role is instrumental in protecting our brand, maintaining customer and consumer trust, and ensuring alignment with FDA, USDA, USPH, FSMA, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.

What you'll be doing:

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Leadership:

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust quality management systems across all plants and supply chains.

• Oversee quality control procedures, microbiological testing, pathogen environmental monitoring, product specifications and hold and release programs to maintain consistency and excellence.
• Promote Food Safety Culture by providing visible leadership, promoting interdepartmental collaboration and establishing an environment of psychological safety where employees freely escalate food safety and quality issues.

• Oversee all internal and external audits, quality certifications, and inspection readiness ensuring dairy plants maintain required certifications.
• Ensure that all processes meet or exceed customer expectations, food safety requirements and regulatory standards.

• Manage supplier relationships to assure raw materials meet quality specifications and standards. Maintain a supplier approval process to mitigate supply chain risk.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in food safety, product quality, and manufacturing processes using tools like root cause analysis, and statistical process control.

Regulatory & Compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal food regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, FSMA, PMO, etc.).
• Ensure product labeling compliance to include preserved identity items (Kosher, HALAL, rBST, GMO status, Natural).
• Maintain relationships and committee participation with industry associations including IDFA, USDEC, and the Innovation Center for US Dairy.
• Lead investigations of quality incidents, regulatory agency inquiries, customer complaints, and product recalls, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor and interpret new or changing legislation and regulatory trends; advise executive leadership on potential impacts and mitigation plans.

Team Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing QA/QC, food safety, and compliance team across multiple facilities.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, operations, procurement, and legal teams to ensure quality standards are embedded throughout the product lifecycle.
• Serve as a key liaison with major retail and foodservice customers, auditors, and certification bodies.

Strategic & Operational Excellence:

• Develop short and long-term strategies to enhance product quality, customer satisfaction, and risk mitigation.
• Establish and track KPIs and metrics related to quality, food safety, and compliance performance.
• Champion a culture of food safety and quality assurance throughout the organization.

What we are seeking:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive experience in quality assurance and food safety within the dairy or broader food manufacturing industry.
• Proven track record in regulatory compliance and quality systems leadership, preferably in multi-site operations.

• In-depth knowledge of dairy processing, pasteurization, State Department of Agriculture, environmental pathogen monitoring, pest control, sanitation, GMP requirements, HACCP, FSMA, USPH, FDA, USDA and food safety regulations.
• Experience with third-party certification programs such as SQF, BRC, or ISO 22000.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in quality management systems, data analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Familiarity with emerging dairy industry trends and technologies.

• Certification in relevant QA/Food Safety programs (e.g., HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner) is highly desirable.

Salary range $175-185k with bonus (dependent upon company/individual performance)

This role will require travel to our various plant locations VT/NY/MA

Equal Opportunity Employer
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