Head of Food Safety and Quality

Job Description

Position Overview We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to lead the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) function at our flagship manufacturing site in Hathras. As the Head of Food Safety & Quality, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, compliance, implementation, and continuous improvement of all food safety and quality management systems. This role will serve as a key member of the factory leadership team, ensuring that all processes and products meet regulatory, customer, and internal quality standards. Key Responsibilities Leadership and Strategy - Define the long-term FSQA strategy aligned with Mahaan’s commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. - Lead the Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Food Safety teams across functions. - Drive a culture of quality excellence, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance. Compliance and Risk Management - Ensure full compliance with FSSAI, HACCP, GFSI, cGMP, FSMA, and other international standards and certifications. - Lead site preparedness for internal and third-party audits including customer audits, statutory audits, and certifications. - Implement, monitor, and review all prerequisite programs, CCPs, SSOPs, RM/PM controls, and validation protocols. Process & Product Quality Oversight - Oversee and enhance quality systems across raw material intake, production, packaging, warehousing, dispatch, and returns. - Review SOPs, deviations, CAPAs, market complaints, and product quality metrics on a regular basis. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Production, R&D, Procurement, and Sales to ensure quality throughout the product lifecycle. Technical Development and Systems - Develop technical quality parameters for RM/PM (Physical, Chemical, Microbial) with the R&D team. - Ensure documentation and validation of product dossiers, manufacturing instructions, and specification sheets. - Lead the implementation of a modern digital QMS system and data-driven decision-making. Supplier and Vendor Quality - Approve and audit vendors, including new vendor onboarding, performance assessment, and compliance. - Establish and maintain a robust Supplier Quality Assurance Program with procurement and R&D. Customer & Regulatory Interface - Handle customer queries related to product quality, certifications, and compliance. - Act as the site representative for food safety-related statutory and regulatory bodies. Required Qualifications - Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Dairy Technology / Food Science / Microbiology. - Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in food safety and quality, ideally in dairy/FMCG environments. - In-depth knowledge of Indian and global food regulations, certifications, and quality systems. - Experience working in or with USFDA/FSMA compliant facilities is an advantage. Key Skills and Competencies - Strong leadership and team management capabilities. - Excellent knowledge of HACCP, GFSI, FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, and GMP standards. - Exceptional problem-solving, analytical thinking, and risk assessment skills. - High proficiency in technical documentation, reporting, and root cause analysis. - Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration. Why Join Mahaan? Impact Drive quality excellence that impacts the health and well-being of consumers across India. Culture Join a team of passionate food professionals fostering innovation, transparency, and excellence. Growth Direct exposure to senior management and the opportunity to influence large-scale transformation in a legacy company. Show more Show less