Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager                                                      

Reports To:  VP of Food Safety and Quality Assurance                Department: Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Location: Salinas, California                                                              Position Type: Full Time

Classification: Exempt, Salaried                                                       Salary Range: $125,000 - $135,000 annually 

Position Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic individual to join our team. As the Food Safety and Quality Manager you will be a key member of the Quality and Food Safety team responsible for providing strategic direction and implementation of all necessary food safety and quality programs and ensuring the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of Latitude 36 Foods products. This individual must demonstrate strong leadership skills with the ability to act collaboratively, proactively, and consistently engaged to find solutions to achieve Latitude 36 Foods objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum formal education: University degree (Bachelor or above), preferably in Food Technology or a related field.
• Must have GFSI standards experience such as SQF, BRC or FSSC 22000.

• Must have technical knowledge of quality & food safety for FDA and USDA compliance.
• Required 4 years of comprehensive food processing, food safety, and quality experience in large volume food manufacturing facilities.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a management role.
• HACCP certification, SQF Practitioner and/or PCQI certification preferred.
• Bi-lingual (English and Spanish preferred).
• Strong analytical and both oral and written skills.
• Must have strong computer skills with intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing the QA staff and ensures that all QA programs are followed, makes sound decisions and executes quality oversight.
• Executes quality and food safety objectives as directed by the VP of Food Safety and Quality Assurance, as well as the adherence and execution of all company policies and programs associated with Foods Safety and Quality.
• Works with QA staff members to prevent process or product failures. Focuses on continuous improvement of product quality through the development of quality plans, process controls, attention to process details and specifications and quality training.
• Oversees the development, implementation, review and maintenance of the SQF System, including food safety fundamentals, the food safety plan and the food quality plan outlined in the SQF code.
• Communicates to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF System.
• Work other certification bodies such as Kosher, Organic, CDFA.
• Maintains the Hold and Release Program, prepares hold report, and conducts weekly meetings to check status of any hold issues which are not resolved in a timely manner. Works with Purchasing, Inventory Control, and Warehouse personnel to investigate and manage QA Holds.
• Oversees the implementation of Environmental Program and conduct root cause investigation when needed.
• Investigates customer complaints and non-conformance issues. Conducts finished product and raw material traceability/troubleshooting in response to customer complaints or in-house product issues.
• Assists plant with plant-wide training in the areas of HACCP, Sanitation, Allergen Control, Facility Security, Food Safety, and GMP’s.
• Manages employees in the Quality Assurance Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance and developing employees; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Work on special projects and other duties as assigned by the VP of FSQA.
• The Plant FSQA Manager is the designated SQF Practitioner with responsibility and authority to lead the development and implementation of Food Safety Fundamentals.
• One of the key responsibilities of the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager is to prepare the facility for all FSQA-related internal and external audits—including third-party, regulatory, customer, and organic certification audits—and to take a lead role in representing the facility during these audits.
• The FSQA Manager is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Safefood360 system, which is currently used to manage all FSQA processes and records in a digital format.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in developing, implementing, certifying and reliably maintaining GFSI food safety and quality management programs.
• Proven track record of acting as a food and safety expert making business and quality risk-based decisions and recommendations based on scientific, regulatory and quality evidence in FDA processing plant. USDA experience preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance principles, food science, SPC and statistics; preferred.
• Ability to uphold regulatory, company and customer standards.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with demonstrated multi-tasking and project management skills.
• Working knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Must be flexible to work off hours or days (including weekends).
• Must be able to work off shifts.
• Ability to work in refrigerated warehouse environment.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel to other plants for training, if requested.

Latitude 36 Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we take immense pride in our diverse and talented workforce. We are looking for diversity in candidates for employment. We recognize that our continued success depends on the collective strengths of our associates.

Salary : $125,000 - $135,000