Brian Perry is an award-winning food safety and quality assurance expert with 25+ years of experience directing and refining food safety and quality, driving innovative R&D processes, leading risk prevention, and refining operational standards for Fortune 500 companies. His management experience spans across multiple business units, facility locations, and organizational initiatives with specialized knowledge of HACCP and other food safety guidelines, a range of key food technologies, and various food types.
Through a successful tenure with Treehouse Foods Company, Brian has progressed through roles as Senior Director of Quality Systems and Vice President of Food Safety & Quality, and currently holds the title of Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance & Food Safety. With intent focus on directing the build out and establishment of the organization’s food safety and quality system, Brian was instrumental to generating growth through M&A while ensuring food safety and quality through the integration process. His strategic guidance has resulted in reduced recalls and overall supply chain risk; increased efficiency and compliance of nutrition labeling; elimination of waste and increased effectiveness of sanitation processes; and maintenance of vital regulatory requirements, certifications, and company and industry standards.
Prior, Brian was Director of Quality for ConAgra Foods’ frozen foods business. He was a key member of the team that developed a microwave oven center of excellence that ultimately drove the industry-wide shift of NRTE food processing to meet the safety and quality standards of RTE products. Brian also led the launch and commercialization of major product lines, doubling the size of ConAgra’s Arkansas plant. He also co-developed Key Concepts of Food Safety and Quality System aligned with GFSI and SQF code requirements and led Focused Improvement projects and Kaizen events that drove a continuous improvement mindset across the organization. His previous roles with ConAgra included Manager of Operations Quality and various management positions.
Brian’s earlier career experience includes roles as Quality Assurance Manager for R.L. Ziegler Co, Inc. and Quality Assurance Technician for Zartic Foods.
Brian earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences and Meat Science from Auburn University. He is an SQF Practitioner through the Safe Quality Food Institute and holds HACCP Certifications in Seafood, Juice, and Food through the FDA.
A respected advisor and industry thought leader, Brian is a board member for University of Nebraska’s Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP), and active committee member of FMI the Food Industry Association, and a member of the Tracegains® Executive Advisory Board. He has delivered numerous speaking engagements at the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting and Food Safety Summit and is an expert contributor to a variety of industry publications.