Senior Director of Food Protection #475

Senior Director, Food Protection & Scientific Operations 

Kwik Trip, Inc. is seeking an accomplished senior leader to oversee and advance all aspects of Food Protection and Scientific Operations across our vertically integrated food supply chain. This executive level role safeguards public health, protects the Kwik Trip brand, and drives continuous improvement in food safety, quality, and regulatory excellence. 

The Senior Director will lead a high performing team responsible for analytical laboratory operations, scientific research, regulatory affairs, and enterprise-wide food safety risk mitigation. This position serves as the organization’s top scientific authority, advising executive leadership, shaping corporate food safety strategy, and representing Kwik Trip in high‑visibility regulatory, industry, and public forums. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide executive leadership for the Food Protection team and all Food Protection Program initiatives. 

• Direct laboratory operations, including scientific methodology, technology strategy, proficiency programs, and continuous improvement. 

• Serve as a core member of the Corporate Recall Authority team, leading recall decision-making for manufactured and private label products. 

• Develop and oversee enterprise wide food safety, quality, and technical training programs. 

• Ensure scientific rigor, operational excellence, and alignment with corporate mission and values. 

• Act as Kwik Trip’s senior scientific and regulatory representative with USDA, FDA, state and local health agencies, and industry organizations. 

• Interpret emerging regulations, guidelines, and scientific advancements to guide corporate policy and operational readiness. 

• Prepare and deliver executive level scientific presentations, business proposals, and research papers. 

• Maintain deep expertise in foodborne pathogens, testing methodologies, and regulatory compliance frameworks. 

• Represent Kwik Trip at press events, industry conferences, scientific forums, and stakeholder meetings. 

• Oversee scientific research projects, including proposal design, data interpretation, and publication of qualityity reporting. 

• Engage with vendors, operational teams, and customers to address food safety culture, testing needs, and scientific concerns. 

• Lead budget development for research, contracts, and special projects, including capital planning and cost benefit analysis. 

• Drive evaluation and adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance food safety, testing accuracy, and operational efficiency. 

• Lead R&D initiatives focused on new testing methods, data analytics, and emerging scientific applications. 

• Guide special project teams to deliver high impact research supporting food safety risk mitigation. 

Qualifications 

• Advanced studies in food science or microbiological analysis is strongly preferred. 

• Master’s degree required in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field. 

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in food safety, scientific operations, regulatory affairs, or related fields. 

• Proven success leading technical teams in a complex, customer focused environment. 

• Demonstrated expertise in federal food safety regulations, laboratory operations, and pathogen testing. 

• Federal and state food safety regulations, FSMA, food codes, and pathogen testing requirements. 

• Scientific research design, data analysis, and laboratory quality systems. 

• Corporate recall procedures and regulatory reporting. 

• Food safety risk mitigation strategies and industry best practices. 

• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. 

• Strong executive communication skills—written, verbal, and public facing. 

• Skilled at building shared vision, driving organizational change, and influencing senior stakeholders. 

• Experience hiring, developing, and leading high performing technical teams. 

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution. 

• High level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism. 

• Ability to manage competing priorities and lead through ambiguity. 

Why Join Kwik Trip? 

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of food safety and scientific excellence at one of the nation’s most respected, people centered companies. You’ll lead mission critical programs that directly impact public health, brand trust, and the safety of millions of guests. 

If you’re a visionary scientific leader ready to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to meet you.