Director of Food Safety

The Director of Food Safety holds the crucial responsibility of establishing, maintaining, and executing a rigorous food safety program that ensures full compliance with customer, company, and regulatory standards, including the Food Safety Modernization Act and Safe Foods for Mexican regulations. This pivotal role involves spearheading the development, maintenance, and enhancement of systems for obtaining approvals from producers, packers, warehouses, and service providers. Additionally, the director must rigorously monitor performance, conduct audits, and work closely with supply chain partners to drive continuous improvements in products, processes, and systems, ultimately reducing business risk through proactive food safety programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute a food safety strategy and goals.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate food safety policies and procedures.
• Take appropriate action to ensure the integrity of all food safety portals.
• Communicate all essential information to relevant personnel to ensure effective implementation and maintenance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all USDA, FDA, and LGMA-related communications.
• Maintain USDA organic certification and CCOF Certification.
• Develop and manage the food safety plan and provide training for employees.
• Develop and maintain documentation such as SOPs, as well as maintenance of manuals, policies, and procedures related to any food safety concerns.
• Conduct facility food safety audits and manage third-party audits.
• Act as a food safety subject matter expert during customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• Assist in R&D development projects and rollouts to ensure that food safety and quality are achieved.
• Report food safety problems to personnel with the authority to initiate action.
• Maintain and report food safety problems to personnel with the authority to initiate action.
• Enhance supplier management for compliance and continuous improvement.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze food safety data and develop effective corrective actions.
• Periodically review product recall protocol and conduct mock recalls.
• Track regulatory requirements and advancements in food safety technologies.
• Participate in internal and external food safety audits.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and expertise in food safety.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Positive can-do attitude and self-motivation.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Fast-paced, continually changing environment where teamwork and strong communication skills are required, both verbal and written.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Ag Science, Microbiology, or a related field of science preferred or experience in a business-related field
• 5+ years of experience in Food Safety, 3+ years in years of leadership experience strongly preferred

EXPERIENCE:

• A proven ability to write routine reports and correspondence effectively and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to suppliers, customers, sales, upper management, and other organization employees is essential.
• Experience and knowledge of fresh produce raw materials, production processes, quality control, and cost management.

SKILLS:

• Bilingual in Spanish (Read and Write) preferred
• Computer literate in all Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Will operate various office equipment, including (not inclusive list) telephone, computer keyboard, photocopy machines, and other clerical and office equipment.

TRAVEL:

• Ability to travel to Arizona and Mexico for short periods. Must possess a passport or other approved documentation for international travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Approximately 100% of the time performing the job will be in an indoor office environment, most of that time spent sitting at a desk in front of a computer monitor.
• High use of communication either through the telephone or one-on-one communication
• The noise level in the office is low, with temperature levels between 65 and 80 degrees.
• Maybe required to lift to 10 lbs. Bending, stooping, reaching all a probability.