The Executive Director – Stainless Fabrication & Compliance is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of stainless steel fabrication operations and ensuring strict compliance with food safety, sanitary design, and regulatory standards across food and beverage manufacturing facilities. This leader drives fabrication quality, process innovation, and regulatory adherence while managing multi-site teams, vendor partnerships, and continuous improvement programs to support safe, efficient, and scalable manufacturing.
Develop and execute the strategic vision for stainless steel fabrication operations aligned with business goals.
Lead fabrication capacity planning, capital projects, and process improvements to optimize throughput and quality.
Ensure all fabrication activities meet hygienic design standards and support product safety and operational excellence.
Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, 3-A Sanitary Standards, OSHA, and environmental regulations in all fabrication processes.
Implement and maintain rigorous quality management systems, including inspections, audits, and corrective actions.
Lead preparation for and response to internal and external regulatory audits related to fabrication and materials.
Oversee daily fabrication operations including welding, machining, assembly, and finishing of stainless steel components and equipment.
Establish and enforce fabrication best practices, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance protocols.
Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for fabrication defects or non-compliance issues.
Manage and develop multi-disciplinary fabrication and compliance teams across multiple sites.
Foster a culture of safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Lead training initiatives focused on sanitary fabrication standards, welding certifications, and compliance requirements.
Partner with suppliers, contractors, engineering, and quality teams to ensure material specifications and fabrication meet design and regulatory standards.
Support cross-functional collaboration on new product development, equipment upgrades, and process validation.
Stainless steel fabrication strategy and operations management
Regulatory compliance and sanitary design enforcement
Quality assurance, inspections, and audit readiness
Leadership of multi-site teams and talent development
Cross-functional collaboration and vendor management
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field required
Master’s degree or MBA preferred
Welding certifications (e.g., AWS), Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or Quality Management certifications are advantageous
15+ years of experience in stainless steel fabrication and manufacturing within food & beverage or related industries
Extensive knowledge of sanitary design standards (3-A, EHEDG), food safety regulations, and fabrication best practices
Proven leadership experience managing multi-site teams and complex fabrication projects
Strong executive leadership, strategic planning, and operational management abilities
Expertise in welding, stainless steel fabrication processes, and quality systems
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to lead continuous improvement and compliance initiatives