Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance

About Us 

At Open Farm we are transforming the way people feed their pets, with a focus on producing premium, healthy food and treats, all ethically sourced from farm-to-bowl. Headquartered in Toronto and with team members across the US, Open Farm is one of the fastest growing CPG companies in North America. We believe that 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.  

Before you em-bark on this journey with us, learn more about the opportunity: 

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.
• All other duties as assigned.

• 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.

• An opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive within a mission-driven, dynamic, and fast-growing company, alongside thoughtful and passionate individuals dedicated to their work and community  
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage
• 401K with company match 
• Great office culture (with lots of adorable pets!) where your pet interrupting video calls or in-person meeting is the norm 
• Discounted food, apparel and insurance for your furry family members 
• In addition to your PTO, we offer company-wide wellness days and personal days to support your wellbeing 
• Volunteer days to give back to our community 

Hybrid Work

At Open Farm, we believe in the power of collaboration, meaningful connections, and enjoying our work together—fury friends included! That’s why we’ve adopted a structured hybrid approach that allows you the benefit of a reduced commute while still building strong workplace relationships. Currently, all employees are expected to be in the office two days per week at minimum, with Tuesday and Thursday as our anchor days. In addition to this, each month our Leadership team dedicates three consecutive days onsite to continue to foster alignment and connection across the team. During this time we expect everyone to join us in person to do the same. Please note: our hybrid approach may evolve over time as we adapt to the needs of our team and business.

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.