OPPORTUNITY PROFILE DIRECTOR, QUALITY ASSURANCE

CONTENTS

THE ORGANIZATION NATURE’S PATH 1

THE OPPORTUNITY DIRECTOR QUALITY ASSURANCE 2

Critical Job Outcomes 3

THE PERSON 5

Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience 5

Role-Specific Competencies 6

General Competencies / Personal Characteristics 7

COMPENSATION 8

CONTACT 8

the right people

NATURE’S PATH | DIRECTOR, QUALITY ASSURANCE

Nature’s Path - Director, Quality Assurance - Opportunity Profile 1 | Page

THE ORGANIZATION NATURE’S PATH

Nature's Path Foods is a private, family-run manufacturer of certified organic foods based in Richmond, British

Columbia that grows and purchases only certified USDA Organic and Canada Organic ingredients. Originally

offering the first USDA-certified organic cereals on the market, Nature’s Path has been making organic food

for three generations and now has a portfolio of over 150 products, having worked tirelessly to keep organic

advocacy at the forefront of its mission. The company’s commitment to organic has kept over 70,500 tons of

chemical fertilizers and over 1,000 tons of pesticides out of the soil between 2013-2016 and they continually

invest in farmland, converting it to organic to support various green initiatives across North America.

As pioneers of the organic movement, Nature’s Path believes organic food and farming are the best ways to

care for our bodies and for the planet. With a focus on manufacturing and selling the best tasting organic

cereals, granola bars, and breakfast foods, Nature’s Path’s vision is to be a trusted name for quality organic

foods in every home, with every decision aligning with the triple bottom line – being socially responsible,

environmentally sustainable, and financially viable. Nature’s Path answers to no one except their conscience

and customers, which allows the organization to make decisions that uphold its values and mission to leave

the earth better than we found it.

Through financial contributions, in-kind donations, and volunteerism, Nature’s Path supports many initiatives in

sustainability and environmental protection such as hunger relief, endangered species and habitat restoration,

and watershed protection. Together with a team of like-minded team members, Nature’s Path hosts annual

“foodraisers”, supports local food banks and urban garden projects, maintains an annual commitment of

donating $2 million worth of food to those in need, and much more.

To learn more, please Nature’s Path’s website.

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THE OPPORTUNITY DIRECTOR, QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Director Quality Assurance is responsible for developing and executing a quality assurance vision for Na-

ture’s Path that incorporates quality assurance standards, testing approaches, and purchasing strategies and

frameworks. Ensuring that all relevant CFIA, FDA, and SQF standards are implemented, monitored and contin-

uously improved to assure quality and food safety while protecting the consumer and the Nature’s Path brand,

the Director, Quality Assurance will ensure compliance and record-keeping for all mandated quality checks,

testing, sampling and sanitation activities and will track, analyze and lead initiatives for all quality assurance and

customer complaint issues.

This position will coordinate activities and cultivate good relationship with key vendors, develop initiatives to

improve plant performance against organizational and regulatory quality measures, as well as monitor the

performance and competencies of QA staff while providing leadership, coaching and development as needed.

Based out of Richmond, BC, the Director Quality Assurance will also guide the management team and employ-

ees by leading the food safety quality assurance process for all changes such as new products, packing, pro-

cesses, equipment and/or new regulations that impact food safety.

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Critical Job Outcomes

The Director, Quality Assurance is accountable for:

Ensuring that manufacturing facilities deliver products

that meet and exceed all food safety and quality

standards by:

• Leading and managing the implementation/

auditing of all quality programs, including but not

limited to GMPs, HACCP, weight control, master

sanitation schedule, and pest control;

• Ensuring facilities are compliant with regulatory

requirements related to product safety/quality;

• Directing all quality control functions to support

the needs of the production facilities;

• Maintaining professional working relationships

with corporate and plant management, customers

and vendors;

• Providing continuous improvement leadership to

enhance all food safety and quality programs;

• Ensuring new Business systems implementation

incorporates and promotes Quality and Food

Safety improvements as required;

• Assisting site management in establishing

processes to improve the effectiveness of the SQF

System for continuous improvement;

• Working proactively with manufacturing, operations,

innovation, purchasing and sales teams to drive

productivity and improve quality; and

• Will have experience with CFIA FSEP (Food Safety

Enhancement Program), FDA FSMA (Food Safety

Modernization Act) Preventive Controls for Human

Food, and other International requirements;

Building a dedicated, focused and capable Quality team

to meet Nature Path’s current and future operating needs

by:

• Using Nature Path’s people management systems

(recruitment and selection; training and development;

communications, involvement, and feedback; salary,

compensation, and group benefits; performance

management and continuous improvement; and

safety in the workplace);

• Ensuring that all staff respect Nature Path’s Personal

Policies, and that Managers as well as Team Leaders

receive training to implement properly;

• Monitoring to see that policies and systems are used

effectively and consistently;

• Delegating the maximum amount of work, with trust

and accountability, and optimizing the engagement

and development of personnel;

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• Ensuring that there is a productive and healthy

work environment, and effective, well-maintained

equipment that functions reliably;

• Ensuring that team members are being trained to

meet the current/future needs of the organization

in a planned manner; and

• Setting a consistent personal example in leadership,

as a “servant leader”.

Ensuring the optimal use of and returns on the financial

resources of Nature’s Path by:

• Carefully planning the utilization of materials and

other resources in order to minimize waste and

obtain optimum returns on assets employed;

• Ensuring that all practices respect the financial

policies and practices of Nature’s Path;

• Using appropriate budget and financial planning

practices, and consistently monitoring, analyzing,

and addressing performance against these;

• Constantly striving to develop and use accurate,

relevant financial information / other quantitative

data for informed decision-making; and

• Developing and implementing a capital plan to

drive quality of food safety improvements.

Ensuring a commendable reputation of Nature’s

Path in the business community and public by:

• Respectfully and capably representing the best

interests of Nature’s Path in all internal/external

dealings; and

• Requiring the same standards from all staff in

their internal and external dealings.

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THE PERSON

The Director, Quality Assurance will be an experienced professional in the food manufacturing and distribution

industry with a diverse skillset and expertise in HACCP, SQF, Sanitation, and Food Safety. Possessing a deep

background in regulatory services and risk analysis, and a proven track-record of rolling-out strategic QA initia-

tives and leading teams in complex organizations, the Director Quality Assurance should bring a practical, im-

plementation-focused mindset to Nature’s Path. S/he should be an engaging, service-oriented problem-solver

and leader, finding ways to efficiently make things happen within the required policy framework.

Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree desirable; preferably in food science and/or management is an asset;

• Ten years’ experience as a Quality Assurance Manager in a food manufacturing setting;

• Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

Systems (HACCP), Regulatory Guidelines, and International Guidelines;

• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills;

• Hands-on manager with good communication skills and the ability to build a strong team; and

• A demonstrated ability in key software applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

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Role-Specific Competencies

Communication - Effectively communicates in an

open, direct manner while maintaining the respect of

others; willingly shares information with co-workers

and managers; conveys information in a clear and

concise manner, both written and verbally, enabling

others to form appropriate opinions and decisions.

Innovation / Creativity – Has the ability to explore

and introduce new ideas and concepts and to look at

things from a new and different perspective; has the

ability to develop new processes or apply existing

processes in new ways; initiates change; takes risks.

Initiative – Actively pursues or initiates projects for the

benefit of the department and/or the company;

suggests improved procedures or methods in areas

within or outside of own responsibilities that are sig-

nificant enhancements to work efficiency/productivity.

Customer Service – Has the ability to recognize and

meet the needs of the customer by delivering quality

results; treats customers with courtesy and respect;

proactively resolves the concerns and problems of

customers and clients.

Sound Judgment and Decision-Making – Has the

capacity to form an opinion by distinguishing and

evaluating; has the capacity to assess situations or

circumstances and draw sound conclusions that are

in the best interest of the business.

Adaptability – Maintains effectiveness in varying and

ever-changing environments and with different tasks,

responsibilities, and people; has the ability to be

adaptable and flexible to changing work demands

and receptive to new ideas/concepts while maintain-

ing a positive attitude and outlook.

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General Competencies / Personal Characteristics

Performance Driven - Demonstrates an understand-

ing of the goals of the department and how they

support the overall strategy. Achieves high standards

in our business practices, driving results. Uses positive

and realistic approaches that recognize the interests

of each stakeholder while achieving business results.

Is customer-driven, holding the interests of their

customers as a prime concern.

Always Improving – Demonstrates innovation and

creativity. Leads in their role with an eye on continual

improvement. A strategic and resourceful problem

solver.

Team Focused – Inspires, acts as a role model, and

leads by example. Creates and engages powerful

teams through effective communication. Fosters

personal and professional development of each team

member. Contributes to a safe, inclusive, friendly and

positive work environment.

Honourable and Respectful – Is fair and equitable in

addressing issues, needs, or interests of each stake-

holder. Leads with integrity and transparency, build-

ing trust. Exemplifies the values in Nature’s Path

Code of Ethics. Treats all team members with dignity,

honoring and embracing personal diversity. Embod-

ies our vision of nurturing people, nature, and spirit.

Sustainably & Socially Conscious – Is engaged in

community, demonstrating a spirit of service. Incor-

porates environmental impact/social responsibility

consideration in strategic planning and business

development. Demonstrates an understanding of the

Declaration of Sustainability and drives initiatives that

affect company’s sustainability performance.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits.

Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Leo McPeak

LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH

#880—609 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5

Phone: (604) 688-8422

Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com