Food Safety Specialist bei Fresh Express

The Raw Product Food Safety department is responsible for implementing, managing, monitoring, and verifying raw product food safety in accordance with the company's Good Agricultural Practices, as well as standardized requirements, policies, procedures, and standards. The Food Safety Specialist works directly with in-house grower(s), vendors, suppliers, harvesters, transporters, and cooling and storage operators to provide technical support and assistance, resolve technical issues, and promote, implement, monitor, and verify compliance with Fresh Express Good Agricultural Practices, the FDA's Produce Safety Rule, and LGMA requirements. Additionally, the role will establish standardized requirements, policies, procedures, and standards for raw product quality and food safety. This is an exempt position reporting to the Raw Product Food Safety Manager. The role requires seasonal relocation between Yuma, Arizona, and Salinas California.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

• The main function of this role is to serve as the Raw Product Food Safety Specialist for Fresh Express' internal growing department primarily during the Winter season in El Centro, Ca.
• Ensure that the internal growing operations is following all Fresh Express, LGMA and FSMA requirements.
• Trending and tracking critical food safety data and bring up issues to FSQA management.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and managing the food safety programs for staff and harvesting crews in California and Arizona.
• These programs include the FDA's FSMA and FSVP, the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Organic Programs, as well as internal and external audit requirements.
• Audit Fresh Express suppliers involved in growing, harvesting, packing, and cooling. Develop management plans to address areas of noncompliance identified during audits.
• These plans will be created in collaboration with suppliers to promote ongoing improvement. Maintain the company's Food Safety plan and supporting documents.
• Deliver and lead training presentations on issues that may affect food safety and participate in meetings with growers, suppliers and internal employees and contractors.
• Assist crews and customers in achieving food safety goals. Conduct audits of Fresh Express suppliers during pre-harvest growing and harvest monitoring.
• Perform pre-harvest food safety inspections on regional leafy greens.
• Ensure that all buffers and prohibitions for food safety are in place on blocks scheduled for harvest. Perform random grower rodent trapping audits, harvest audits, and sanitation audits.
• Support quality initiatives as needed. Keep organized records in both paper and electronic formats. Perform other duties as assigned.
• The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required for this role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Harvesting Practices (GHPs).
• Experience in Food Safety programs for leafy greens preferred.
• Proven ability to work independently and with others to initiate change.
• Attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively throughout the organization in written and verbal form.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and multitask and
• Ability to be a productive team member in both formal and informal settings.
• Able to work outside in heat and dusty environments and able to walk on uneven surfaces.
• Able to travel seasonally with crop transitions.
• Capable of lifting to 50 pounds and climbing on and off equipment.
• Oversee the documentation for the local Pest Control Advisor (PCA) concerning pesticide-related activities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in QA&FS experience in an agricultural or food manufacturing environment.
• Possess a valid driver's license & clean record and can drive a car or pick-up.
• Hold a valid Passport with the ability to travel to Mexico, Canada, and within the US.
• Proficient in MS Office and data analysis.
• Bilingual Spanish & English (speaking, reading, and writing) a plus.

Other Information:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.