Your Purpose

Develops and implements and coordinates food safety programs, protocols and training across all stores and distribution centers to minimize consumer risk, enhance the safety of products and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards. This position will establish a culture of food safety within the company and will run appropriate audit programs to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory standards. The Director will establish and maintain private label quality assurance programs to ensure accurate labeling and the promotion of high-quality private label products. This position will also develop and maintain relationships with federal, state and local regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

What You’ll Do

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  

• Ensures that Quality Assurance programs are compliant with regulatory requirements related to food safety and maintain consumer confidence.
• Develop and maintain positive, effective relationships with regulatory authorities.
• Develop and evaluate existing programs affecting store sanitation, food safety practices and regulatory compliance. Assist the Food Safety Manager regarding store audit programs, pest control, regulatory interface, and plan review and design.
• Oversee the Private Brands Quality Assurance program and the food safety aspects regarding supplier and product approval, routine product evaluation against specifications and targets, and label review. Review third party audits, promote GFSI recognized certification and conduct audits when necessary.  Follow up with manufacturer when product quality or food safety issues arise. Meet with vendors and brokers to obtain information related to private brand products, specifications, labeling and quality standards.
• Oversee the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and the data required for compliance with this program.
• Manages a Food Safety Manager who is responsible for the food safety auditing program at Retail, a Food Safety Manager who is responsible for the food safety program at the Distribution Centers, a Quality Assurance Field Manager who is responsible for pest control company-wide and two teams of inspectors at the two warehouses, a Product Recall Specialist and a Regulatory Compliance Specialist. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Food Safety and Quality Assurance teams. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance.
• Coordinate and execute all product withdrawals and recalls within the company. Communicate internally and with regulatory agencies as warranted. 
• Work with merchandising to ensure that food handling and sanitation practices are in accordance with regulatory requirements and protect products. 
• Responsible for the Quality Assurance Inspection programs and the Food Safety Plans at the Greensboro and Indian Trail distribution centers. Direct and support the activities (including banana ripening and Seafood HACCP), policies and standards of the two inspection teams. 
• Oversee the consumer product complaint process for all products, including measuring, monitoring and consumer follow up.  Interact with the Customer Relations department, Risk Management department, insurance carrier, merchandising, broker and manufacturers/suppliers to ensure concise, efficient resolution of consumer complaints. 
• Reviews technical publications, articles, and abstracts to stay abreast of technical developments in the food industry. 
• Participate in the Conference of Food Protection (CFP), participate in CFP committees, participate on the FMI Food Protection Committee, and with Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States. 
• Works with the Training and Development department to identify, develop and implement training for food safety and sanitation. 
  Prepare annual department budget.  
• Participate as a core member of the Special Situation Team. 
• Represent Harris Teeter in food regulatory issues and functions as necessary to assure its operations and business efforts are not affected and that Harris Teeter is compliant. 
• Plan and conduct meetings for the Quality Assurance department.

Supporting Leadership Through the 5 Es

• As a leader, you are expected to model and reinforce our leadership expectations through the 5Es Leadership Framework – serving as both an example and a multiplier of leadership impact across teams and functions:
  • Envision: Craft a bold, strategic vision that aligns with the company’s direction. Communicate clearly and consistently to ensure every team understands the “why” behind the work and feels connected to the bigger picture.
  • Energize: Cultivate a high-energy, resilient environment where passion, recognition, and urgency fuel momentum. Drive engagement across levels by being visible, present, and inspiring in your leadership.
  • Enroll: Build alignment and commitment by involving others early and often. Create clarity around change, communicate transparently, and ensure all stakeholders feel heard, valued, and empowered to act.
  • Enable: Break down barriers, advocate for necessary resources, and build capability across your teams. Champion development, empower decision-making, and foster a culture of continuous learning and ownership.
  • Execute: Deliver results that matter. Turn strategy into action with prevision and agility, ensure accountability, and continuously improve outcomes through clear priorities, strong follow-through, and data-driven decisions.