Director of Governance for Safety, Quality and Product Release Programs

company information

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based dairy company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and value-added products to nourish consumers.

With more than $1B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s growing portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

The company is driven by its values of caring for people, the animals that supply us with milk, and the planet. By providing nourishing products, implementing stringent care standards for animals, and stewarding efficient operations and responsible packaging, fairlife, LLC puts a focus each day on making a positive impact for all. 

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:

The purpose of this role is to drive the technical advancement low acid aseptic (LAA) processing with respect to efficiency, product and ingredient quality, aseptic science and regulatory compliance within the fairlife business inclusive of international expansion. Also, to implement novel, efficient, and effective technologies to reduce finished product release time in collaboration with plant quality and manufacturing teams.

This role reports to the VP Technical and works cross functionally with quality, R&D, manufacturing, engineering and international teams.  This role delivers value by pushing new technical frontiers in aseptic processing science, testing and validation that reduce food safety risk and customer complaints as well as improving product quality and supply chain efficiency.

This role does not oversee the quality system or product release. 

responsibilities:

• Product release
  • Define and implement efficient and effective validation procedures for LAA processes
  • Use LAA processing science and operating data to drive processing and product release efficiency improvements in partnership with plants and regulators (e.g., finished product release time reduction, extended runs, deviation reduction, disposition % etc.)
  • Source and implement improved analytical and microbiological techniques and technologies
  • Reduce the cost of regulatory compliance through a more smart-risk and QA based approach
• Ingredient quality
  • Establish effective and efficient systems for managing high risk ingredients
  • Continuously implement cost-effective testing of ingredients and finished goods
  • Work closely with SC and manufacturing partners to streamline incoming ingredients quality and utilizations at all production facilities
  • Implement improved ways of kitting ingredients for batching and production
• Process engineering and manufacturing support
  • Work closely with SC manufacturing and internal/external authorities to extend run times for ESL and aseptic products
  • Provide LAA technical support across all plants including international
  • Lead the aseptic certification and quality approval of new lines and plants
  • Partner cross-functionally on innovations and new platforms by identifying, assessing, and mitigating emerging quality risks
• Stakeholder communication and management
  • Lead the communications with senior leadership across all quality platforms
  • Act as liaison between fairlife and The Coca-Cola Company’s Quality, Safety and Environmental team
• Lead all IMCR related incidents and resolutions
• Lead and implement the laboratory capital equipment needs for present and future
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as required

skills/qualifications required:

• Bachelor's degree in Dairy, Microbiology, Food Science or a related discipline required, with a strong working knowledge of the science of low acid aseptic products. Master’s or PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in quality and safety within a LAA manufacturing platforms
• Proven track record of improving quality performance, LAA environment preferred
• Excellent knowledge of LAA processing and filling equipment
• Proven track record of working on LAA validations in collaboration with third parties and FDA
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills
• Able to demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach to innovation leadership
• Demonstrated excellence in relationship building, communication and presentation
• Ability to thrive in fast paced, entrepreneurial environment

position location: Chicago, IL, Coopersville, MI or Goodyear, AZ

reports to: VP Technical

travel requirements: 50% including some international

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected].