Sr. Food Safety & Quality Specialist - Fresh Kitchens

Leads the development and oversight of Kroger’s corporate food safety and quality systems. Guides manufacturing facilities in implementing and validating food safety plans, ensures SQF certification, and drives resolution of systemic product quality issues. Oversees supplier compliance, monitors regulatory changes, and leads cross-functional initiatives to improve food safety performance. Supervises and coaches direct reports while contributing to strategic planning and continuous improvement across the network. Demonstrates the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety. 

• Lead the development and strategic oversight of corporate food safety policies, procedures, and training programs
• Guide manufacturing facilities in designing, improving and validating food safety and quality plans across all manufacturing processes
• Direct efforts to implement and sustain SQF certification, ensuring alignment with Kroger’s standards and regulatory requirements
• Evaluate and validate changes to food safety plans that impact product safety and quality across the network
• Stay current with regulatory developments and proactively adapt corporate strategies to maintain compliance
• Analyze customer feedback trends and lead cross-functional initiatives to resolve systemic product quality issues
• Drive continuous improvement using advanced Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, including SPC and root cause analysis
• Lead strategic planning efforts to enhance quality programs and influence future initiatives
• Provide independent coaching and direction to plan operations on quality systems and issue resolution
• Oversee corrective action processes to ensure sustainable solutions and prevent reoccurrence
• Monitor and support supplier food safety compliance of Kroger corporate brand suppliers 
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the completion of their duties
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Minimum 

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, dairy science, bakery science, food microbiology or related field
• 6+ years of progressive food manufacturing, food safety and quality experience 
• HACCP certification
• SQF and/or GFSI implementation experience
• FDA Preventive Controls Training (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual
• Demonstrated knowledge and implementation of regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, PMO)
• Proven application of regulatory requirements and guidance into plant policies
• Involvement in food safety, quality and/or regulatory focused professional organizations
• Strong facilitation and training skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Strong critical thinking skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated excellence in project planning, problem solving and execution
• Proven leadership skills: coaching and developing leaders and associates
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with frontline employees, peers and executives
• Ability to drive positive change in processes, systems and culture
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and Lean/Six Sigma
• Proficient with product lifecycle management systems, quality systems such as InfinityQS and SharePoint 

 Desired 

• 8+ years of progressive experience in food safety and quality assurance 
• Specialized knowledge/experience in food safety programs such as pest management, sanitation, GMPs, policy writing, chemical hazards
• Varied knowledge of multiple food categories, including dairy, bakery, etc.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher
• Lead Auditor certification and/or experience