- Lead food safety, quality, and R&D for a large, established food manufacturer
- Partner directly with the COO to strengthen technical systems, drive process improvement, and build a proactive quality culture
- On-site position in Merced County, CA; $180K–$200K base salary + bonus
About the Role
Reporting to the COO, this is a senior technical leadership role with broad responsibility across manufacturing, quality, food safety, process improvement, product development, and customer technical support. The Technical Services Director will assess existing systems and processes, establish priorities, and lead a multi-year roadmap to strengthen the technical function as the business continues to grow.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in thermal and aseptic processing with the leadership presence to operate as a trusted partner to senior management. This person will lead a capable technical team, strengthen cross-functional collaboration with plant operations, and bring greater rigor and consistency to quality systems, documentation, and problem-solving.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead food safety, quality, microbiology, and R&D, developing the team and strengthening cross-functional collaboration.
- Drive investigation and resolution of microbiological, food safety, and quality issues.
- Strengthen technical systems and documentation, including sanitation, hygiene, change management, corrective actions, and audit preparedness.
- Optimize thermal and aseptic processing to improve product quality, consistency, reliability, and manufacturing performance.
- Support new product development, process improvement, and commercialization.
- Improve customer complaint and corrective action processes in partnership with Operations.
- Serve as a technical resource for customers and translate customer needs into manufacturing and R&D priorities.
Candidate Profile
- Significant technical leadership experience within large-scale food manufacturing.
- Deep experience with thermal and aseptic processing.
- Experience leading Quality Assurance, Food Safety, microbiology, and/or R&D functions.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and lead the response to microbiological and food safety issues.
- Experience with evaporators and kill steps is a plus.
- Strong, hands-on leader who can operate autonomously, develop others, and influence across functions.
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
- Able to work onsite five days per week in Merced County.
Skills Required
- Significant technical leadership experience within large-scale food manufacturing
- Deep experience with thermal and aseptic processing
- Experience leading Quality Assurance, Food Safety, microbiology, and/or R&D functions
- Experience identifying and leading responses to microbiological and food safety issues
- Strong hands-on leadership, autonomous work, team development, and cross-functional influence
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, or a related field
- Master's degree
- Experience with evaporators and kill steps
- Ability to work onsite five days per week in Merced County
What We Do
3P Partners is an executive search and recruiting firm focused on the consumer packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage, agribusiness, and logistics sectors. Founded in Visalia, California, it helps companies identify and place senior leaders across finance, human resources, operations, engineering, supply chain, and commercial functions. The firm serves more than 200 food and beverage companies across North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
