Ratto Bros, Inc. is a 100-year-old family-owned farming operation selling vegetables and leafy greens to retailers and packers throughout the U.S. As a vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper, we have full control over every aspect of our business that allows us to stay true to our ongoing commitment to provide the freshest, safest, and highest quality produce on the market. We are looking for a self-driven individual to direct our quality and food safety program.
The Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager will manage quality and food safety throughout our operation by upholding and refining our quality and food safety policies and procedures. The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure that the company is following all food safety regulations and guidelines as mandated by the federal government, commodity specific regulations such as LGMA, and any customer specific requirements. This position will develop and implement food safety standards, policies, and programs including HACCP, FSMA, SQF and GFSI, training programs, SOP’s and product inspections. The expectation of this role is to ensure quality and food safety compliance for all of our products, this is accomplished through leading a high performing team, evaluating risks, and ensuring all processes of our quality and food safety program are audited to determine if they are complete, accurate, and meet specifications.
- Manage the development, implementation and support of the company’s food safety policies and systems in accordance with FDA, FSMA and SQF, HACCP etc requirements
- Manage customer complaint program by investigating and issuing a decision on the case, identifying root causes, take corrective actions as necessary, and complete relevant documentation
- Provide technical expertise and support to all departments on projects that pertain to food safety and quality
- Ensure that the company maintains food safety compliance with all local state, federal and regulatory agencies
- Oversee all microbiological sampling in our fields, facility, and water
- Ensure pest control for all locations are being monitored and that corrective actions are processed
- Responsible for government, regulatory and customer audits
- Assess and improve current sanitation practices for all locations.
- Ensure corrective actions and preventive measures are applied and followed
- Ensure physical plant inspections are conducted on a monthly basis and reports are generated for each area
- Conduct mock recalls
- Continuous improvement projects / strategies that enable the delivery of quality and food safety objectives and performance
- Must be able to act as liaison between multiple departments: Marketing, Sales, Harvesting, Cooling, and Growing
- BS in Microbiology, Food Science, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences or related field is required
- 3 years’ experience in food industry or related experience, agriculture experience is a plus
- GFSI certification and experience
- Prior auditing experience
- Proactive attitude and strong organizational skills
- Outstanding leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Good communication and problem-solving skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Highest standard of integrity
- Previous experience with third party auditors, including Primus
- Strong knowledge of GAP’s, GMP’s, HACCP, Primus, LGMA, CCOF, FSMA, BRC, FDA
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred
- Valid Driver’s license
- Must be experienced and knowledgeable in the areas of food safety, product safety, product quality standards, document control, and regulatory issues pertaining to organic and conventional farming
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
