Office Director, Office of Quality Assessment and Management

This position is being filled under a stream-lined hiring authority, Title 21 of the United States Code (21 US Code 379d-3a) as amended by the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016, section 3072 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, Section 3624. The candidate selected for this position will serve under a career or career-conditional appointment and be paid under the provisions of this authority. This position is being recruited based on the Title 21 Pay Table 4, Band G. The Office of Quality Assessment and Management (OQAM) leads the quality initiative for the Human Foods Program (HFP), supporting a culture of continuous improvement and optimization of program operations. The Office evaluates food safety systems for fitness-for-use and advises HFP leadership on leveraging domestic and international regulatory partners’ food safety efforts to strengthen public health protection. OQAM also assesses and monitors the efficacy and efficiency of HFP programs and procedures and makes recommendations to HFP leadership of options for improvement. The Office Director manages the Quality Assessment Staff and Quality Management Staff and performs the following: Serves as the principal scientific and policy advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for Food, and Agency leadership on quality management, assessment programs, standards, and policies that support food safety, nutrition, and public health protection. Responsible for the overall planning and evaluation of Office of Quality Assessment and Management (OQAM) programs. Reviews and makes recommendations regarding budget allocation, spending, personnel requests and proposals. Plans and implements improvements to better carry out the mission of OQAM and HFP. Plans and implements improvements to better carry out the mission of OQAM and HFP. Applies advanced knowledge of health science principles, and food safety methodologies to ensure that quality standards, audits, and assessments are conducted following consistent, scientifically sound practices. Creates and implements evidence-based quality assurance strategies and policies aligned with organizational goals, using expertise in public health science, epidemiology, and food safety risk principles to evaluate program effectiveness. Applies expert knowledge of health science disciplines, including related science, and/or epidemiology to advise leadership on complex scientific questions with significant public health implications. Expert advisor on ISO accreditation, leading quality management, assurance, strategic planning, and performance excellence programs. Uses health science data, research, and literature to identify gaps and recommend evidence-based policy solutions. Applies expert knowledge of health sciences, related scientific fields, and epidemiology to advise leadership on complex scientific issues with significant public health implications. Serves as the Agency’s expert advisor on ISO accreditation requirements and activities, overseeing the development and implementation of policies, programs, strategic quality planning, quality assurance, and performance excellence initiatives. Defines and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess quality assurance effectiveness, using analytical and epidemiological methods to identify improvement opportunities and evaluate public health outcomes. Assesses processes and procedures to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities, applying expertise in food safety systems, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. Monitors industry trends, emerging scientific standards, and best practices in food safety, nutrition science, and public health to ensure quality assurance practices remain current, scientifically sound, and effective.