Food Safety and Sanitation Technician

Location: McAllen, Texas Pay Classification: Hourly

Reports to: Food Safety & Sanitation Supervisor Department: Regulatory

Supervisory Responsibilities: No Date created: 03/12/2025

Description (objectives of the position):

The Food Safety and Sanitation Technician is responsible for supporting the Food Safety and Sanitation Supervisor in carrying out and implementing all food safety activities required to conform and comply with all applicable regulations that include, but are not limited to: FDA, PrimusGFS, USDA, and TDA; as well as to support in other sanitation daily task, activities and special projects as required.

Duties and Responsibilities – Internal Studies Lead

• Daily oversight of GMPs and Food Safety activities
• Execute written food safety program SOPs, document and record required forms and practices
• Assist the Food Safety and Sanitation Supervisor working on reviewing, updating and keeping records of all changes made on Food Safety and Sanitation procedures, programs and forms, and all general documents.
• Report any non-conformances immediately to the direct supervisor and assist with correction and corrective and preventive actions.
• Write incident reports and fill out NUOCA forms with Corrective Actions.
• Works with Food Safety and Sanitation Supervisor, Operations Manager, and General Manager to address food safety and regulation issues and helps in identifying trends that help ensure compliance and fosters the development and implementation of process improvement in the organization.
• Follows all safety, food and health guidelines relevant to the food industry
• Responsible for assisting the Food Safety & Sanitation Supervisor training employees on proper food safety practices.
• Follows directives and implements various health, food and safety guidelines that are mandated by the state as well as the company.
• Assists in responding to consumer and customer complaints completely and effectively
• Monitors record and ensures completeness in order to assure proper trace-back information is in place for suppliers
• Assist in coordinating and conduction internal audits periodically and assists with food safety risk assessments
• Assists in verifying appropriate sanitary conditions throughout shift
• Assist in performing ATP testing periodically as required.
• Will be taking environmental samples periodically as dictated by REVEAM’s Environmental Monitoring program.
• Communicates timely on all food safety information at the facility.
• Must be willing to support in daily sanitation activities & tasks as needed, covering sanitation team members absences if needed.
• Must be willing to work overtime weekends, holidays, and varying/rotating shifts as required.
• Must be willing to learn and perform inspections, sanitation and swabs on the equipment (conveyors) if required.
• Must follow all instruction related to Food Defense, Good Manufacturing Practices, and HACCP program.
• Must report to the Food Safety Department or direct supervisor any problem or irregular situation at their work location. Implement and enforce security and food safety standards, policies, and programs related to HACCP/HARPC, and third-party standards, regulatory standards, food safety training programs, product inspections, and any work instructions.
• Required to follow all quality system requirements for position and facility operations
• Required to comply with and ensure all general safety, OSHA, USDA/APHIS, FDA and State of Texas regulations for position and facility operations.
• Ensure compliance with the Quality & Food Safety Management System in accordance with relevant internal, external standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices by following GMP protocols.
• Ensure compliance to Standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and safety.
• Report on deviations on Food safety / Quality / Safety to the supervisor immediately
• Perform routine inspections as per standard requirements and timely data entry.
• Maintain clean and hygienic work environment.
• Participates in Food Safety, Safety and Quality related training.

• Bachelor or Associate degree in food technology, biology, life sciences or a technical field preferred.
• Minimum high school diploma or vo-tech graduate combined with 1-3 years’ experience in food safety and /or quality assurance.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice
• Basic to Intermediate Knowledge of Food Safety Management Systems
• Basic to Intermediate knowledge of Audits and Auditing Procedures
• Basic to Intermediate Knowledge of analytical testing procedure
• Basic Knowledge of document control
• Microsoft Office proficiently, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new software
• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus
• Knowledge and experience in taking micro/lab (swabs, etc) samples and utilization of external laboratories.
• Participation in GFSI and Regulatory audits a plus
• Ability to identify and resolve problems independently and with sound judgment

• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other team members and employees.
• Strong common sense
• Strong sense of urgency to resolve issues.
• Must be willing to work overtime weekends, holidays, and varying/rotating shifts as required.
• Physical strength and dexterity to occasionally move, lift and handle equipment.
• Deal with long hours standing or walking.
• Organizational and time management skills
• Works independently but in collaboration with other team members
• Ability to identify and resolve problems independently and with sound judgment
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice.
• An energetic team player who is flexible and adaptable.
• High level of initiative and works well in a team environment.
• Establishes and maintains effective channels of communications all relevant parties.

Work Environment

and Physical Requirements: (Describe whether exposed to chemicals, indoor or outdoor conditions, confined spaces, heights or other specific work area characteristics).

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
• The majority of time performing this job is split between a standard office environment and outside in the Facility.
• The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position most of the time.
• Frequently sits, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stand and walk; grasp with hands and fingers and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Occasionally bend, twist, push, pull, clime squat, crawl and kneel.
• Frequently use computer, telephone, and writing instruments.
• A large part of time is spent in a refrigerated area standing and walking. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• The noise level in the operation facility is high. The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet to moderate.

The employee must be able to

• Move from location to location, operate, detect, diagnose, remove, install, modify, use, and control machinery, equipment, and tools in work environment.
• Constantly positions self to maintain, operate and assess equipment, including underneath, inside, besides, and above.
• Must be able to communicate, detect, discern, and hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• This job includes close vision and adjusting focus to detect, discern, operate, and inspect.
• The employee is regularly exposed to energized electrical gear, moving mechanical parts, tools, and vehicles. Is occasionally exposed to low permissible levels of ionizing radiation. This position requires access to areas and activities which could be dangerous for people wearing pacemakers and other medical devices.
• The constant work temperature averages 41F.