Director of Food Safety – Processing Operations

We are seeking a Director of Food Safety – Processing Operations to join our team in Watsonville, CA.

This position will lead the Food Safety and Compliance team to ensure the safety and quality of all food products. The Director of Food Safety is responsible for the Maintenance and Coordination of all food safety programs and serves as the company’s primary liaison with regulatory authorities and Third-Party Audits.  The Director of Food Safety provides technical expertise and management skills to administer the corporate strategy for: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Preventive Controls for Human Foods and other Federal and State regulations that pertain to outside suppliers of raw product as well as processing and cooling facilities. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and maintenance of the Food Safety/HACCP plan including evaluation of risks, identification of preventive controls and critical control points, and SOPs that implement the programs.
• Oversight for outside growers’ audits who supply raw product for processing operations as well as outside suppliers of field packed and purchased products.
• Leads all required 3rd Party Audits.
• Serves as Recall Coordinator and Lead for Mock Recalls
• Lead for Organic Certification including technical and regulatory review of organic production at field and processing level, inspection reports and related compliance documents.
• Enforce all GMP, GAP and HACCP Food Safety Programs to ensure Federal and State agency compliance.
• Travel to co-packer locations to perform inspections and accurately report findings.
• Travel to customer/supplier locations to attend meetings.
• Participate in facility upgrades and changes to ensure all food safety requirements are satisfied.
• Participate in customer plant tours.
• Coordinate and support Continuous Improvement activities.
• On call 365/24/7.

Requirements:

• BS in Food Safety, Food Science, Microbiology, or related field. MS preferred.
• At least 5 years relevant experience in produce safety, with at least 2 years in a supervisory position
• Successful completion of FSPCA PCQI training. HACCP, PSA grower training, and FSVP training preferred.
• Knowledge of state/federal food safety guidelines, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), LGMA, GAPs, GMPs, HACCP in addition to USDA/FDA guidelines as they relate to the fresh produce industry is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office 365, Famous ERP, and Heavy Connect
• Bilingual Spanish fluency preferred.
• "Can do" attitude, natural curiosity, and internally motivated.