Job Description:
Growers Express, LLC located in Yuma Arizona is seeking to hire a Director of Technical Services for our processing facility.
Summary: The Direct of Technical Services is responsible for managing all activities pertaining to product food safety, quality systems, and providing support for research & development company wide. Responsibilities include departmental and company leadership, management of regulatory, customer and internal requirements, and driving food safety and quality into product design and innovation projects.
Summary: The Direct of Technical Services is responsible for managing all activities pertaining to product food safety, quality systems, and providing support for research & development company wide. Responsibilities include departmental and company leadership, management of regulatory, customer and internal requirements, and driving food safety and quality into product design and innovation projects.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Provide leadership in product safety, product quality, regulatory affairs, and technical excellence. Foster food safety culture throughout organization.
- Manage Food Safety Plan development, review and implementation in coordination with plant leadership teams. Implement all aspects of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance.
- Develop and implement, or continuously update and improve, company and facility pre-requisite programs, including crisis management, trace and recall, sanitation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Corrective Actions and Preventive Actions (CAPA), Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP), Test and Hold, etc.
- Conduct validation studies to ensure current process control steps are in control and compliant with internal, customer, and regulatory requirements.
- Manage customer audits and compliance. Participate in customer meetings and serve as primary technical point of contact with key customers.
- Perform data analysis for food safety and quality-related information, such as specification compliance, consumer complaints, raw material quality, sanitation effectiveness, etc. Trend and analyze data. Present data internally and externally.
- Develop and document process parameters in the processing facility in collaboration with the operations team to allow for transition to day-to-day production.
- Develop and monitor operational processes and Quality Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to execute immediate, proactive action. Automate processes where applicable using Information Technology (IT) or third-party support. Ensure KPI information is communicated to appropriate stakeholders.
- Manage the vendor approval process. Oversee vendor compliance for perishable and non-perishable process inputs. Manage quality aspects of vendor scorecard.
- Work cohesively with the operations team in designing process parameters and equipment sanitary design standards.
- Manage and support rollout activities for company initiatives and new products related to enhanced human safety, product quality, food safety, reporting, and efficiency.
- Appropriately train and mentor staff. Conduct performance evaluations, manage training needs, etc. Provide leadership and coaching that foster high team morale and effectiveness.
- Perform and document risk analyses at internal and supplier operations as a subject matter expert.
- Provide support for R&D activities to support expansion of business, including but not limited to customer sample submission, new process/tooling research, packaging validation, sensory evaluation, nutritional information panel creation (Genesis Software), nutrient content claims, artwork review and approval, etc..
- Direct the investigation, root cause analysis, and CAPA for all consumer/customer complaints.
- Manage food safety related service vendor approval, including but not limited to 3rd party lab, pest control, sanitation service, chemical suppliers, food contact tools and PPE, etc.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in food science or other science-related field (Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, or other).
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively increasing management experience in quality, food safety, and R&D in food production operations.
- Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Training.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Advanced skills in MS Office applications, including PowerPoint and Excel.
- Proficiency in the use of Genesis Software.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and budget.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Experience in implementing GFSI, such as Safe Quality Food (SQF), in food production facilities.
- Experience working with frozen vegetable and fruits, especially with blancher validation.
- Familiar with all applicable FDA/FDA regulations such as FSMA, Nutritional Labeling, GMP, Recall, GMO, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ten or more years industry experience in food safety, quality, and R&D areas.
- Bilingual – Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English and Spanish (preferred).
- Experience working with the RedZone software.
Physical Demand:
- Required to sit for long periods of time.
- Physical effort required (ability to move 50 lbs. from one area to another).
- Exposure to extreme heat and cold environments.
Work Environment:
- Work performed in an office, field and production facility environment.
- Some overnight travel will be required.
- Smoke-free work environment.