Regulatory Specialist

About LiDestri Food and Drink

LiDestri Food and Drink has grown from our roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer to become an R&D engine, formulating and producing innovative food and beverage products for our national and retailer brand partners. A family-run company based in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs over 1,200 people across five U.S. locations. We have decades-long partnerships with some of the most respected consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and the most highly inventive retailer brands. 

Excellent Pay and Benefits:

•    Great career-pathing 

•    Professional development, including unlimited online training courses

•    Health insurance with premium contributions

•    Dental, vision, HSA

•    100% company paid life insurance and long-term disability

•    401k – with employer match

•    Paid time off to include- vacation, sick pay, wellness time off, and 10 holidays

•    Company bonuses

•    And many more….

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position participates in and is responsible to ensure successful and accurate application of various food safety systems in our production environments.  Responsibility includes reviewing and reporting on the following:  supplier and production food safety records and data, incoming materials, and nonconforming materials.   This role also participates in and supports in-plant audits by various customers and agencies, as well as participating in and supporting food safety and quality business systems.  

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES: 

Food Safety Records Management:

•    Maintain up-to-date understanding of all regulatory and customer requirements pertaining to the completion, review, and filing of production records.

•    Actively manages and updates data in various systems including vendor management systems (LiDestri and customer), ERP system, certificate of analysis (COA), standard operating procedures (SOP), formula database, internal and customer templates and forms, preserved identity systems, and other document management platforms.

•    Utilize various systems and platforms (e.g., Oracle, RedZone, data recorders, equipment specific interfaces) to review and approve required production records, ensuring that all process control, product specifications, CCPs and CQPs, and customer requirements have been met.  Ensure that all production records are completed, collected, organized, reviewed, and filed to the satisfaction of all pertinent regulatory agencies and customers.  

•    Report product deviations and missing records to total plant staff (e.g., production, sanitation, maintenance, quality, warehouse) and place on hold as required.  Participate in material review board.

•    Issue record deviation forms and conduct record retraining.  Work directly with all plant staff to identify, implement, monitor, and validate corrective actions.  Also report on metrics.

Materials Compliance and Data Management:

•    Approve supplier certificate of analysis (COAs) against material specifications; communicate and coordinate with purchasing/procurement, buyer/planners, warehouse, and suppliers to ensure that COAs are available to key personnel utilizing databases and electronic platforms (e.g., TraceGains).

•    Document and report on metrics for all COA issues (e.g., non-compliant occurrences) with vendors and/or customers.

•    Participate as a regular member of supplier management/compliance electronic platform workflows.

•    Serve as a site subject matter expert for electronic supplier management/compliance electronic platform.

•    Oversee document management program for raw material specifications.

•    Review incoming raw material and product labels for compliance.

•    Place raw materials and packaging on hold as required.  Issue supplier corrective action requests to suppliers for deficiencies.  Track and validate supplier corrective actions

•    Extract and enter raw material and technical information into electronic databases (e.g., TraceGains).

Audit Support:

•    Support customer, government, and third-party audits (e.g., USDA, FDA, State Dept of Public Health).

•    Coordinate, plan & schedule all preserved identity audits supporting Product Regulatory Compliance team.

•    Provide production records to required regulatory agencies as required to facilitate the approval of processing records and subsequent release of finished product.

Food Safety and Quality System Support:

•    Review and execute positive release of finished goods.

•    Participate in and support trace and mock recall exercises as required.

•    Support research on inquires and requirements for future preserved identity status or claims.

•    Able to backup quality technicians as needed.

•    Participate on cross-functional continuous improvement and problem-solving teams.  Use proven statistical methods, problem solving techniques, and recognized testing methods to develop data, recommendations, and solutions in office and production environments.  

Certifications:

•    Obtain and maintain a combination of certifications necessary for specific site and/or as required by regulation (e.g., SQF Practitioner, Better Process School) 

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

•    GED or High School Diploma with at least 3 years of business experience.  College degree in business, science, or related field preferred.

•    Excellent software proficiency (Word, Excel).

•    Ability to accurately work with and report on data.

•    Attention to detail and strong organizational ability.

•    Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision.

•    Strong teamwork and communication skills with employees at all levels.

•    Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

•    Ability to attend and successfully complete related training programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

•    Ability to wear personal protective equipment (bump cap, hair net, ear plugs, beard net (if applicable) safety glasses, and leather skid resistant work shoes/boots.

•    The temperature in work area varies

•    Occasionally lifting and carrying items <10 lbs.

DISCLAIMER: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities.  The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to:

•    Long periods of standing/moving, working around moving mechanical parts/conveyors

•    Loud environment, hot/cold, wet/dry conditions

•    Lifting/carrying <50 pounds

•    Frequent reaching/pulling/climbing stairs/stooping/kneeling/bending

Employee Value Proposition 

Our purpose and our promise is to actively nourish at every touchpoint; this starts with nourishing our workforce and extends to nourishing our many communities. We provide a safe and respectful environment, meaningful careers, awesome benefits, a world class wellness program… all of which inspire unity and collaboration amongst our LiDestri “family”.