The Executive Director of Safe Food Certifications is responsible for the overall leadership, financial performance, operations, accreditation compliance, and strategic direction of DFA of California's certification body subsidiary – Safe Food Certifications LLC.

The successful candidate will combine extensive knowledge of third-party food safety certification programs, including BRCGS, SQF, GFSI-recognized standards, and ISO/IEC 17065, with demonstrated ability to lead employees, manage financial performance, implement operational improvements, and drive profitable growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, develop, and manage certification body personnel, including employees and contract auditors.
• Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular employee evaluations, provide coaching, and address performance deficiencies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
• Recruit and retain qualified personnel while developing organizational capabilities to support growth.

Financial and Operational Management

• Assume responsibility for the certification body's P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and profitability.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators, including auditor utilization, scheduling efficiency, service turnaround, and financial performance.
• Identify and implement operational improvements to increase productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee daily certification operations, ensuring effective resource allocation, timely service delivery, and consistent execution.
• Implement technology and process improvements to improve workflow, reporting, and operational effectiveness.

Certification and Accreditation Oversight

• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17065, BRCGS, SQF, and applicable accreditation and scheme requirements.
• Provide leadership and oversight of technical personnel responsible for auditor competency, quality management systems, technical reviews, and certification decisions.
• Maintain certification integrity, impartiality, and compliance throughout all certification activities.
• Oversee accreditation assessments, scheme-owner relationships, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Monitor industry standards and certification requirements to ensure ongoing compliance and program effectiveness.

Strategic Planning and Business Development

• Develop and execute strategic plans focused on profitable growth, operational excellence, and customer retention.
• Collaborate with Growth and Innovation department to expand certification services, customers, and market opportunities.
• Evaluate new programs, strategic partnerships, and opportunities for business expansion.
• Participate in senior leadership meetings and provide regular updates on financial results, operational performance, and strategic initiatives. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Safety, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum seven years of experience in food safety certification, third-party auditing, or certification body operations.
• Minimum five years of management experience, including direct supervision of employees.
• Strong working knowledge of BRCGS, SQF, GFSI-recognized certification programs, and ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation requirements.
• Demonstrated success managing employees, establishing accountability, and improving organizational performance.
• Experience managing budgets, analyzing financial results, and improving operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Previous senior leadership experience within an accredited certification body.
• Direct responsibility for departmental or business unit P&L performance.
• Experience managing employee and contract auditors.
• Demonstrated success driving operational improvements and business growth.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid or office-based position requiring regular engagement with certification body personnel.
• Occasional domestic and international travel as necessary.

Benefits

• Company sponsored Health, Dental, Vision
• Life/AD&D, LTD
• 401k with up to a 5% match

DFA of California complies with the CA Fair Employment and Housing Act and the ADA and will consider reasonable accommodation measures for eligible applicants/employees to perform the essential functions of the job.