Director of Food Safety

Job Description:     

This position is responsible for effectively managing and implementing policies and programs as they relate to food safety, quality assurance and food defense. The manager serves as the liaison between operations, grower relations and sales to ensure all certifications, product specifications are pertinent, current, accurate and followed.

This position works closely with senior management to maintain impeccable quality and cleanliness standards on an audit-ready, everyday basis. This position ensures compliance with federal and state regulations including USDA, NOP, HACCP and FSMA program guidelines.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Ongoing development, implementation, and management of all aspects of quality programs. Includes maintaining SOP’s and product specifications for all products. Evaluation of current practices and implementation of quality assurance program changes.
• Responsible for management of USDA, NOP, HACCP & FSMA regulations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and food safety and defense standards issued by the FDA and other federal, state and local agencies involved with food safety activities. Maintain up to date records for compliance with federal, state and HACCP regulations.
• Responsible for preparing the facility for Third Party Audits to obtain Food Safety Packing House Certifications including PrimusGFS, GlobalGAP, USDA GAP, Organic and SMETA.
• Responsible for ongoing employee training activities designed to keep employees knowledgeable and informed of SOPs, methods, and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Also, ensure that standards for personal hygiene are met and implement corrective actions where needed.
• Work with plant supervisors to ensure compliance with SOPs and GMPs.
• Work closely with sanitation department and other related resources to manage sanitation program and address deficiencies/problems.
• Responsible for microbiological water testing program to maintain microbial potability of the water sources that are used, including collecting samples at all sampling points and delivering them to the laboratory.
• Manage pesticide and post-harvest MRL testing program. Collecting sweet potato samples from sampling points and sending them to the laboratory.
• Maintain corporate recall programs and policies so that product can be successfully withdrawn or recalled from the market if necessary. Review and keep current.
• Oversee training in plant operations related to food safety, sanitation and QC procedures and programs and ensure they are being implemented and followed.
• Ensures that all GMP and sanitation procedures are followed in all areas.
• Work with growers and pack houses to check/set standards.
• Provide guidance, direction, and oversight to growers on obtaining certifications.
• Work with Sales Team on Customer arrival issues.
• Maintain Preventative Maintenance Records to show that all the preventative maintenance is being completed as per the schedule.
• Ensure cooler temperatures are always at the appropriate temperatures.
• Ensure hand soap, gloves and hairnets and PPE supplies are always stocked.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in food science or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory food quality control.
• HACCP Certified.
• Effective communicator with the ability to develop and manage diverse teams.
• Demonstrated communication, organization, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong food safety and food defense knowledge and experience.
• Ability to supervise and manage a department of seven to eight people.
• The ability to solve problems as a team is critical in this position.
• Must have solid computer skills and proficiency in including MS Office software and Outlook email
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

To Apply

• Submit your resume using the Apply to this Position icon.