Job Details

The Director of Quality Assurance is responsible for the strategic leadership and overall effectiveness of the Quality Control function across our alcohol and non‑alc beverage contract manufacturing network. This leader will directly oversee Patco Brands' Contract Manufacturing Quality Managers and partner closely with cross‑functional teams, including Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs, ensuring products are safe, compliant, and consistently meet internal specifications, customer expectations, and all applicable regulatory requirements. The role drives a culture of respect for people, quality, data‑driven decision‑making, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. This leader will be responsible for building, scaling, and maintaining a best‑in‑class quality control program across a geographically diverse and expanding manufacturing footprint. This role reports to the Vice President of Quality.

Responsibilities

Quality Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute the global quality control strategy aligned with Patco Brands' business objectives.
• Allocate QC resources across sites based on risk, volume, product complexity, and launch activity.
• Act as the quality product owner, ensuring alignment between brand standards and manufacturing execution.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Quality Managers and regional quality personnel.
• Foster a culture of respect, continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with domestic and international contract manufacturers.
• Ensure all partners comply with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Conduct regular on‑site audits, performance reviews, and business reviews.
• Provide data and documentation as needed to support retailer audits related to contract manufacturing.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) across the network.

Data, Metrics, and Reporting

• Define and track QC performance metrics across the contract manufacturing network (e.g., out‑of‑spec rate, holds, quality incidents, complaint rates by site, rework/scrap attributable to QC failures).
• Provide regular QC performance reports and risk assessments for each co‑packer to senior leadership and the QA function.
• Support QA's Management Review and supplier performance processes with QC data and analysis.

Product Lifecycle Quality

• Partner with R&D and commercialization teams to ensure quality is embedded from product development through launch.
• Establish quality standards, specifications, and testing protocols.
• Monitor product performance and customer feedback to drive improvements.
• Proactively identify quality risks across the supply chain and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents, ensuring timely resolution and communication.
• Escalate critical issues to executive leadership with clear action plans.

Travel & Field Engagement

• Travel extensively (~75%) to manufacturing sites across North America and internationally.
• Provide hands‑on leadership and support at partner facilities.
• Build strong in‑person relationships to drive accountability and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering, or related field required.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in Quality Control within food or beverage manufacturing, including oversight at the plant level and over contract manufacturers.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with keen attention to detail and the ability to drive multiple projects to completion and translate data into actions.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, the ability to influence and inspire cross‑functional teams.
• In‑depth knowledge of food safety requirements and practices, including GFSI certification schemes.
• Proven ability to lead managers and technical staff remotely and influence external manufacturing partners without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of beverage QC methods (chemical, microbiological, sensory, and packaging tests) and associated equipment. Experience with alcohol, aseptic packed and canned beverages preferred.