The Pismo Oceano Vegetable Exchange is a family-owned and operated agricultural company comprised of third and fourth-generation farming families from California’s central coast. Founded in the mid 1920’s, POVE is a living testimony to the dedication, commitment, and hard work of the many Japanese farmers who originally came together to find unity and strength as a cooperative. In recent partnership with Beachside Produce, Pismo Oceano Vegetable Exchange continues to operate as a commercial cooler proudly representing and serving the same farming families that grew the OCEANO and POVE brands still known by industry today.
Job Description
Pismo Oceano Vegetable Exchange is looking for a self-motivated and organized individual to lead operations at its Oceano cooling facility. Key responsibilities include day-to-day facility oversight and management of all related food safety and compliance programs. This individual will receive direction from POVE’s upper management team and regularly report to the company’s board of directors. Proficient bilingual skills (Spanish/English) – reading, writing, and speaking preferred. This is a full-time position located in Oceano, CA.
Qualifications & Experience
- Qualities and desired experience listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform the job’s essential duties and responsibilities.
- Must be well organized, a self-starter, with the ability to take initiative to solve issues as they arise and follow through in a timely manner.
- Be able to make sound independent decisions based on available data.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written. Possess the ability to work with a variety of personalities in an effective manner.
- Technical competence with food safety and quality assurance checks.
- Preferred experience in, but not limited to, agriculture, Commercial HVAC, or warehouse related industries.
- Ability to give direction and delegate processes to managed staff.
- Experience working with and managing union employees.
- A continued commitment to learning and increasing industry knowledge.
- Familiarity with inventory management software and demonstrated ability to onboard new tools and resources.
- Preferred bachelor-level education in Business, Agriculture, Supply Chain Management or related field.
Certifications & Credentials
Certifications below are desired for optimal fulfillment of job role. Preexisting certification is preferred with any shortcomings to be addressed as part of employee onboarding/training.
- PSR (Produce Safety Rule)
- HACCP ( Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)
- PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual)
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Operations & Facilities Management
- Develop day-to-day scheduling of all facilities' operational staff
- Responsible for and oversees all day-to-day GAP, GMP, HACCP programs.
- Verify consistency and accuracy of all facility-related food safety documentation.
- Utilize customer and sales feedback to help prevent product quality problems.
- Develop, implement, and enforce food safety standards, policies and programs including, FSMA, LGMA, GFSI, Global Gap, and Customer audits.
- Provide all necessary documentation to Customers and Beachside sales staff as requested.
- Ensure that all Maintenance, Sanitation, and Chemical Control activities are conducted in accordance with all regulations and policies.
- Oversee the safety program implemented by facilities supervisor.
- Coordinate all sampling programs and verifies all test results to current standards.
- Coordinate and communicate inventory control to warehouse customers.
- Act as point of contact and coordination with food safety consultant for all facility audits and industry certifications.
- Learn and onboard hazardous materials management programs.
- Manage ongoing and new facilities-related renovation and improvement projects.
Administration & Finance
- Meet with vendors, customers, quality representatives and company personnel to discuss and resolve quality and safety issues as required.
- Maintains accurate food safety file documentation.
- Work hand in hand with Controller to manage weekly operational expenses.
- Respond and follow through with employee complaints.
- Act as the first point of contact for union representative in day-to-day necessities and work with POVE leadership for union contract negotiation/renewal.
- Monitor professional literature and attend seminars to stay current with governmental compliance requirements associated with hazardous materials and food safety.
- Develop and maintain inventory control procedures for onsite materials.
- Coordinate with sister companies to provide accurate forecasting and ensure sufficient packaging supplies are available.
