Global Quality Director

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka.

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Global Quality Director to take ownership of quality assurance across our spirits manufacturing and supply chain operations. In this role, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust quality management system, ensuring the highest standards of quality, consistency, and compliance throughout our global operations. This role requires a leader who is equally comfortable with strategy and also rolling up their sleeves to solve challenges on the ground, playing a critical role in upholding the reputation of our brand.

Responsibilities:

1. Quality Management System:
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive global quality management system, encompassing manufacturing and supply chain quality.
• Establish quality policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure consistency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
2. Manufacturing Quality:
• Oversee and direct quality control and assurance processes within manufacturing facilities to ensure products meet established quality standards.
• Implement quality metrics, key performance indicators, and performance improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and operational efficiency.
3. Supply Chain Quality:
• Ensure the quality of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods throughout the supply chain.
• Collaborate with suppliers and contract manufacturers to establish quality standards and monitor supplier performance, including audits and evaluations.
4. Regulatory Compliance:
• Stay abreast of evolving quality and regulatory standards in the spirits industry.
• Ensure that all products and operations are fully compliant with global regulations and standards.
5. Quality Audits and Inspections:
• Conduct regular internal audits and inspections to identify non-conformities and areas for improvement.
• Coordinate third-party audits and inspections as required by regulatory agencies and customers.
6. Data Analysis and Reporting:
• Analyze quality data and generate comprehensive reports for management, highlighting trends, areas for improvement, and recommendations for corrective actions.
• Provide regular quality performance updates to senior management.
7. Continuous Improvement:
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement in quality processes and practices.
• Implement Six Sigma, Lean, or other quality improvement methodologies to enhance product quality and operational efficiency.
8. Global Quality Leadership:
• Lead a global team of quality professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, expertise, and collaboration.
• Provide coaching and development opportunities to build a high-performing quality team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in Quality and/or R&D roles within the consumer goods industry, including manufacturing-site based positions. Experience in the spirits or food & beverage industry is preferred.
• Proven expertise in quality management systems, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a track record of leading and developing teams.
• Hands-on approach and willingness to engage directly with teams and processes at all levels of the organization.  Ability to lead in a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to convey quality strategies and goals to diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of global quality and regulatory standards in the spirits or food & beverage industry.
• Proficiency in quality analysis tools and data management systems.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a commitment to quality excellence.

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