Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Who we are: Founded in 2014, Open Farm is one of the fastest growing CPG companies in North America. We are transforming the way people feed their pets with a focus on producing premium, healthy food all ethically sourced from farm-to-bowl. We believe the best foods are made with consciously sourced, top-quality ingredients from farmers and fisheries who believe in doing good for all animals and the environment.  We are headquartered in Toronto, Canada with team members based across North America. 

In 2021, Open Farm raised >$80MM CAD in our latest round of funding, led by leading global growth equity firm General Atlantic, who joined Open Farm’s leadership team and existing minority partner, Encore Consumer Capital, on Open Farm’s long-term growth journey. With annual sales growth exceeding 60 per cent over the last three years, our products can be found in over 6,000 neighborhood pet retailers across North America as well as online at OpenFarmPet.com. Our product line is recognized as a category-leader in product innovation, with a full suite of premium offerings ranging from kibble to fresh meals and supplements. Throughout our growth journey, we have stayed true to our values, partnering with ethical sourcing partners Certified Humane®, Global Animal Partnership, and Ocean Wise Seafood to provide better quality ingredients to pets and ensure we are sourcing ingredients in a way that respects farm animals and the planet. 

In our accelerated growth journey and mission to Do Some Good® for animals and the planet, we are looking for an exceptional, innovative, mission-driven finance leader to help build a globally trusted and loved brand and scale into the most successful omni-channel and sustainability focused CPG company in the world. 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance will lead all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and relations, Research & Development (R&D), and will provide strategic input into New Product Innovation projects. The Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance will be a key technical expert, collaborator and leader in the organization, focusing on people, process and systems to ensure we continue to meet the highest standards of food quality and safety. They will be a key resource to our co-manufacturer and supplier network, ensuring our safety and quality requirements are implemented across our supply chain.  This role will also work closely with Open Farm’s Manufacturing, Procurement, Innovation and Impact teams, and play the critical role of championing Open Farm’s rigorous safety and quality standards. 

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance is a critical leadership role, responsible for overseeing all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and input into Research & Development (R&D). This position requires a deep understanding of food science, regulatory requirements, and quality assurance practices, particularly in the context of processed meat products (beef, pork, turkey, chicken, seafood). The SVP Food Safety & Quality Assurance will lead a team dedicated to ensuring that all products meet or exceed industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations for safety, quality, and nutritional value.  This role will also be responsible for ensuring that Open Farm’s rigorous standards around animal welfare and quality nutrition are embedded in everything we do.

• Develop and implement comprehensive quality assurance and food safety programs across the supply chain, from sourcing to manufacturing to distribution.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, national, and international regulations and standards, (including FDA, USA and export markets), as well as with Open Farm’s certification requirements (i.e., Global Animal Partnership, Certified Humane, OceanWise, MSC/ASC).
• Lead and enhance ingredient and product testing programs.
• Oversee food safety audits, inspections and certifications (SQF, BRC, HAACP, etc.)
• Collaborate with 3rd party suppliers, manufacturers and distributors to ensure they meet the company’s safety and quality requirements.
• Play critical role in evaluating and onboarding new supplier and co-manufacturing partners.
• Lead crisis management efforts in response to any quality or safety issues, and ensure transparent communication with consumers, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of quality and safety throughout the organization, promoting continuous education, training, and awareness among employees.
• Stay engaged with Innovation and R&D teams on new product development, as well as ingredient and process innovations, ensure food safety, quality and compliance standards are integrated into development and commercialization processes.
• Lead day-to-day R&D function, specifically with regards to formulation compliance and consistency, product reformulation, and ingredient/processing monitoring
• Collaborate with Marketing and Customer Service teams to communicate quality and safety standards and initiatives to customers and the public where relevant.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, innovations, and regulatory changes that impact food quality and safety, and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team and contribute perspective to overall strategic direction for the organization.
• Bring a desire to roll up your sleeves and dig into the details to ensure all aspects of Open Farm’s FSQA strategy and protocol are best-in-class.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field. A PhD considered a plus.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRC, SQF and Food safety / Quality Management programs.
• Deep experience in food quality and safety management, including in a leadership role, preferably in the meat processing and/or pet food industries.
• Extensive knowledge of food processing technologies, particularly related to proteins.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful quality assurance and food safety programs.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Deep understanding of regulatory requirements and certifications related to meat safety and, ideally, pet food.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Opportunity to lead and shape the future of food quality and safety in a fast-growing, mission-driven company, with annual sales growth of over 60% YOY.
• Join a dynamic and supportive work environment with a team of dedicated, high–performing professionals.
• Competitive salary and short-terms incentives, with an opportunity for long-term equity as part of total compensation.

Our Values

We Raise the Bar | We Open the Barn Doors | We Dream Big | We Graze Lightly | We Are Customer Obsessed | We Are ONE Team 

Open Farm values diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants requiring a disability-related accommodation at any stage of Open Farm's recruitment process should contact hr@openfarmpet.com. As required by legislation, Open Farm will consult with applications requesting such an accommodation to ensure that Open Farm's recruitment process takes into account their accessibility needs.