About the Role
DO & CO is seeking an accomplished Vice President of Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Affairs to provide executive leadership for all food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, sanitation, supplier quality, and product integrity initiatives across North American operations. This executive will establish and execute the organization's food safety and quality strategy, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory and customer standards while fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the North American Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Affairs strategy aligned with DO & CO's business objectives and global standards.
- Serve as the executive leader for all Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supplier Quality, Sanitation, Product Integrity, and Risk Management initiatives.
- Build a best-in-class food safety culture that is embedded throughout every level of the organization.
- Partner with Executive Leadership to develop long-term quality initiatives supporting company growth and operational excellence.
- Lead organizational change initiatives focused on continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and regulatory readiness.
- Ensure enterprise-wide compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, PCQI, GMP, OSHA, TSA, FAA, state, local, and international food safety regulations.
- Maintain oversight of all HACCP plans, Preventive Controls, Food Defense, Food Fraud, and Environmental Monitoring Programs.
- Develop and implement company-wide food safety policies, procedures, and governance standards.
- Lead all regulatory inspections, customer audits, third-party certifications, and airline compliance reviews.
- Serve as executive sponsor during regulatory investigations, food safety incidents, product withdrawals, or recalls.
- Establish and maintain enterprise-wide quality systems ensuring consistency, traceability, and product integrity across all facilities.
- Develop measurable KPIs and quality metrics to monitor operational performance.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
- Oversee enterprise CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) programs ensuring sustainable resolution of quality issues.
- Lead complaint investigations while identifying systemic opportunities for improvement.
- Develop supplier approval, qualification, and ongoing performance management programs.
- Oversee supplier audits and risk assessments to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
- Partner with Procurement to ensure ingredient quality, supplier accountability, and full supply chain traceability.
- Partner with Operations and Culinary teams during new product launches, process improvements, equipment installations, and facility expansions.
- Ensure sanitation programs exceed regulatory requirements through effective oversight of cleaning validation, pest management, allergen controls, and chemical management.
- Lead enterprise readiness for all customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
- Champion innovation by implementing technologies that enhance food safety monitoring, reporting, and compliance.
- Build, mentor, and develop high-performing Food Safety & Quality teams across multiple locations.
- Establish leadership succession plans and professional development programs.
- Foster collaboration across Operations, Culinary, Engineering, Procurement, Transportation, and Human Resources.
- Lead food safety education initiatives that reinforce accountability throughout the organization.
- Develop departmental budgets and allocate resources to support strategic priorities.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline.
- Minimum 12 years of progressive Food Safety & Quality leadership experience within food manufacturing, airline catering, hospitality, or large-scale commissary operations.
- Minimum 7 years leading multi-site Food Safety and Quality organizations.
- Demonstrated executive leadership experience managing enterprise-wide Food Safety and Quality systems.
- Extensive knowledge of FDA & USDA Regulations.
- Extensive knowledge of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
- Extensive knowledge of HACCP.
- Extensive knowledge of Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
- Extensive knowledge of GMPs.
- Extensive knowledge of SQF / ISO Food Safety Systems.
- Extensive knowledge of Environmental Monitoring Programs.
- Extensive knowledge of Food Defense & Food Fraud Programs.
- Proven experience leading regulatory inspections, customer audits, airline compliance audits, and third-party certifications.
Skills
- Food Safety
- Quality Assurance
- Regulatory Affairs
- Sanitation
- Supplier Quality
- Product Integrity
- Risk Management
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- Root Cause Analysis
- CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)
- HACCP
- Preventive Controls
- Food Defense
- Food Fraud
- Environmental Monitoring Programs
- FDA Regulations
- USDA Regulations
- FSMA
- PCQI
- GMPs
- SQF
- ISO Food Safety Systems
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- SQF Practitioner
- Certified Food Scientist (CFS)
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
Location
- Queens, NY
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Executive
- 12+ years
- 7+ years leadership
Education Level
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree preferred
Salary/Compensations
- $200,000-$230,000 annually
Benefits
- Daily Complimentary Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- 401K
- Medical benefits: medical, dental, and vision
- Genuine career development opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
- The chance to collaborate and represent a leading force in the luxury global gourmet entertainment industry by attending world-class events.
About the Company
- DO & CO has a passion for hospitality culinary delights on every elevated floor and in the sky.
- With three business segments: Airline Catering, International Event Catering, Restaurants, Lounges & Hotels, DO & CO offers gourmet entertainment worldwide.
- DO & CO operates in 33 locations, 12 countries and 3 Continents, maintaining the highest standard of quality in both products and services.
- DO & CO refines the classics, develops the unknown and grows constantly.
- An organization dedicated to fostering innovation; in pursuit of cultivating creativity, embracing new ideas and leveraging our impeccable standard for hospitality.
Equal Opportunity
- DO & CO provides equal employment opportunities.
- Applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other protected characteristic.
