Food Safety Technician

Manzana Products Co., has been in business for over 100 years in Sebastopol’s Green Valley. It is a leading producer of organic apple juice, apple sauce and apple cider vinegar. Manzana is owned by Agrial, a leading French co-op of 12,000 farmer members and a force in agriculture and food production. 

Manzana’s Mission is to create quality apple products through placing the highest value on people, suppliers, customers and continuous improvement in manufacturing capability with social and environmental responsibility at the heart of our actions.

At Manzana, we work each day to create a culture focused on food safety, employee health and safety, customer service, continuous improvement, all in a respectful environment where all team members’ contributions are valued, and feedback is welcomed. We are seeking individuals who are passionate about creating great products to join our team. 

Job Summary:

The Production Food Safety Technician (FST) I position is to support the Quality Department & Production for 2^nd Shift Pouch Line. Tasks may vary from product to product. All assignments and designated work station will be assigned pertaining to workload and scheduling, and may alternate based on daily needs. Primary role will be working with apple sorting and sauce production staff, with secondary role as the backup FST to cover break periods and/or absences for primary FST. Reports to Quality Manager when filling role of FST, and Production Supervisor when working in sauce production positions.

2nd shift employees receive a $2 shift differential pay per hour!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manzana Food Products charges all employees with the responsibility to fully participate in all company policy and program initiatives for Food Legality, Food Safety, Food Quality and Food Defense; each employee, no matter their position or job function serves a key role in contributing to safe, quality food.

Perform the following duties and Responsibilities as Food Safety Technician:

• Perform tests and use special equipment to ensure package and product quality
  • pH
  • Brix
  • Viscosity/Bostwick
• Keep daily records of tests performed and results.
• Complete all of the paper and Redzone Data Sheets to keep a record of the production day
  • Able to achieve 95-100% of completion of Redzone Data Sheets
  • All missed, Cancel and Fail checks must have a comment and reason.
  • Each deviation (Fail check) leads to a Documented Corrective Action
  • Follow up with operators to assure that all documents are properly filled
• Perform the pre-op inspection on time, making sure that the document is completed BEFORE the line starts.
  • Able to know and do a corrective action if deviation during the Pre-Op Inspection.
• Calibrate equipment on a daily basis, following the time specified
  • Understand and do a Corrective Action in there is a deviation in the calibration of the equipment.
• Understand GMP expectations and ensure coworkers follow them.
• Know CPs and CCPs on the Production Lines, know limits of each CP and CCP
• Able to know and adjust the recipe parameters at kettle area
  • Able to take action and modify the recipe if brix and pH are not in specification
  • Ensure that the recipe number and batch size are correct
• Able to perform Metal Detector checks.
• Able to take Corrective Action if the ATP Test Fails
• Able to create Hold Router to place product, ingredients, packaging on Hold
• Able to complete and report any destruction of product
• Able to perform incubation and properly complete the report
• Communicate with the supervisor in case of deviation.
• Follow process guidelines and expedite quality concerns to management
• Build good working relationships with quality, production, Supply Chain and maintenance team members

Perform the following duties and Responsibilities as Sauce Production Operator:

• Learn and understand the daily Bertocchi cooker operator procedure forms on Redzone.
• Learn the time frames given for each batch used for production and utilize the time efficiently to assure that the job is done correctly and on time.
• Use personal protective equipment as required for each task performed.
• Maintain a record of utility tools used, and return them cleaned and properly store the tools after job duties have been completed.
• Understands how to check the Vitamin C ingredients:
  • Description of Ingredient used.
  • Name of the supplier.
  • Confirmation of the expiration date.
  • Inspection of ingredient for mold/yeast.
• Learn how to weigh an ingredient accordingly using a scale.
• Understand how to use the Bertocchi computer control system and check the following settings:
  • Temperature Settings.
  • Product Flow Meters.
  • Tank Levels.
  • Pump Speeds.
  • Air Pressure Flow.
• Be able to adjust the Turbo Extractor:
  • Inspection of Grinder
  • Inspection of Dicer.
  • Inspection of Screen.
• Be able to change screen size adjustments on a daily basis, dependent on quality of the apples.
• Be able to perform visual quality checks throughout the cooker system by taking samples of the apple sauce.
• Be able to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
• Be able to learn and perform all required quality checks and enter results in Redzone to maintain sauce within operating specifications.
• Maintain designated area cleaned and organized.
• Responsible for establishing priorities and working independently without direct supervision.
• Follows all Manzana Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Follow safety rules, including those relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Perform apple sorting duties as required.

Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Salary : $2