Director, Chemical & Food Safety Programs

Primary Purpose:

Develop and implement food and product safety programs for FMI members; providetechnical expertise for FMI members; direct food protection activities for the FMI membership; interact with federal, state and local regulatory officials; and represent FMI and its members with external constituents.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and deliver food safety and product safety programs for product supplier members, ensuring content is relevant, timely, and aligned with FMI’s strategic objectives.
• Support the Product Supplier Scientific Affairs Committee, including recruitment of new members; coordinating and planning of committee events; facilitating conference calls/webinars as needed; conducting member outreach, ensuring timely follow-up on action items.
• Direct FMI’s activities on chemical contaminants with a focus on providing support for science-based policies to regulate approved and unexpected contaminants. Serve as a technical expert for FMI internal and external stakeholders on chemical contaminants in food.
• Support chemical safety initiatives through research, coordination, and engagement with industry stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and subject matter experts.
• Assist in the development and implementation of programs, resources, and communications related to chemical safety and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor emerging chemical safety trends, regulations, and industry developments to help inform organizational priorities and member guidance.
• Evaluate member needs and prioritize initiatives to ensure critical food safety objectives and emerging risks are effectively addressed.
• Research and evaluate information, including published data, regulations, and policies to develop concise summaries and provide relevant information and resources to members.
• Collaborate with FMI’s Public Policy team to provide technical support and to assist in advocating for science-based policies.
• Proactively identify emerging food safety issues, regulatory developments, and news, and coordinate outreach and resource development to support member preparedness and response.
• Partner and collaborate with regulatory officials, academia, contractors and other external stakeholders to support members, and enhance food safety and public health programs.
• Coordinate and conduct member visits to review and discuss food and product safety issues.

Other Job Functions:

• Other duties related to food and product safety as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal office environment requiring use of typical business equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, fax, copier, security system).
• Ability to travel 10-20% of the time (locally or domestic travel throughout the United States).
• The person in this position will be eligible to work a hybrid work schedule Monday through Thursday requiring a minimum of two days in the office per week during that four-day period and every Friday will be a remote workday (unless management determines otherwise).

Education, Skills and Experience:

• College degree in a field related to food safety, food science, chemistry or toxicology.
• An advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of seven to ten years of professional work experience with at least seven years directly related to food safety.
• Must have a solid chemical safety background.
• Knowledge and experience with food manufacturing and food safety management including HACCP, Preventive Control programs, food microbiology and a working knowledge of chemical contaminants and toxicology.
• Knowledge of federal and state food regulations and regulatory authorities and agencies.
• Interest in and awareness of global food safety practices and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to facilitate member discussions on complex scientific, regulatory and compliance issues.
• Knowledge of the federal regulatory process and experience drafting comments on federal regulatory issues related to food science, food safety, ingredient safety, allergens and other technical topics.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to create presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and experience presenting to a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of computers and technology, including but not limited to Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong people skills, customer service and team orientation.
• Diligence is required.
• Must be self-directed with excellent time and project management skills and an ability to organize, prioritize and accomplish multiple tasks with strict attention to detail and with minimal supervision.
• Must be highly adaptable and able to respond to business circumstances as they arise.
• Personal qualities must include drive, determination, flexibility, open-mindedness, and must be a collaborator.

*The annual salary range listed reflects the minimum and maximum annual compensation for this position and has been established in good faith and in accordance with Virginia and federal law. Individual salary offers within this range will be based on the candidate's relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, and other job-related factors.