Head of Production and FSQA

About the role

The Head of Production & FSQA is the senior technical leader responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing operations, ensuring food safety compliance, and driving process standardisation across a food production facility.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise production shifts, guarantee order fulfilment with zero recipe deviations, and resolve equipment or personnel issues in real time.
• Coordinate weekly production plans with inventory, validate finished‑product quality (temperature, texture, weight, presentation).
• Design and document technical data sheets, HACCP flow diagrams, yield calculations and conversion standards for each product.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for all kitchen operations, including equipment cleaning, raw‑material verification and cold‑chain monitoring.
• Serve as the technical liaison with Toronto Public Health and CFIA, maintain the HACCP plan, lead internal and external food‑safety audits, and manage allergen control, traceability and recall procedures.
• Lead the technical roadmap to achieve GFSI‑recognised certification (SQF, BRC or equivalent) and evaluate equipment investments to increase capacity or automation.
• Provide cost‑control inputs on ingredient yields, waste factors and formulation to support standard‑cost modelling and future new‑product development.

Required profile

• Degree in Food Engineering, Agro‑Industrial Engineering, Food Technology or Food Science (required).
• Advanced HACCP Certification (required) and Ontario Food Handler Certificate (required).
• Training in SFCR/CFIA Preventive Control Plan (strongly recommended).
• Experience leading production teams and food‑safety programmes in a manufacturing environment.

Required skills

• HACCP implementation and audit management
• Food safety regulations (SFCR, CFIA)
• Process engineering and yield calculation
• SOP development and technical data‑sheet creation
• Allergen control and recall procedures
• Knowledge of GFSI standards (SQF, BRC)
• Equipment evaluation and capacity planning
• Cost‑control analysis and formulation optimisation