Job Description:
Wish Farms is a national marketer of fresh produce commodities consisting of berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries) and vegetables (bell pepper, hot pepper, grape tomato, squash, cucumber, eggplant, and others). This position will lead Food Safety and Quality programs at designated growing, packing or shipping facility(s). This includes leading implementation and on-going program management / oversight of (SQF, AIB) and other regulatory Certification, compliance to Quality Assurance / Food Safety requirements and other related initiatives.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
- Lead integration of the current quality assurance and food safety processes into one integrated process. This includes HACCP system, regulatory audits, quality systems review process (QSR), standard operating procedures (SOP’s), incoming ingredient inspections, product scoring, food safety audits, field complaints, standardized work instructions.
- Develop and execute plans to achieve/maintain all certifications at the facility(s) and to meet all Corporation requirements related to quality and food safety programs.
- Oversee plant(s) compliance and interactions with regulatory body.
- Assure facility(s) meets all requirements related to (AIB, SQF)
- Develop and maintain systems to assure compliance to all (AIB,SQF) standards and requirements including Commitment, Document Control and Records, Specifications, Attaining Food Safety, Verification, Product Identification Trace and Recall, Incident Management, Food Safety Fundamentals — Building and Equipment Design and Construction, and Food Safety Fundamentals — Pre-requisite Programs.
- Maintain all registries as required by (AIB, SQF) and other food safety audits.
- Manage finished product evaluation system and provide leadership to drive improvements in key customer/consumer Quality attributes.
- Train and maintain all training records for critical food safety and quality requirements. Document and maintain training registry for all employees at the manufacturing site(s).
- Oversee monitoring, verification, and validation activities to ensure that all products leaving the facility(s) meet Food Safety and Quality standards.
- Provide guidance and leadership in situations where deviations have occurred or a potential risk has been identified related to food safety and/or quality attributes.
- Reassess plan(s) whenever there is a change to program, process, procedure, ingredient, equipment, industry philosophy, technology, etc.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, or other science related field
- 3+ years of progressive food safety experience, with at least 2 years in a management capacity within a manufacturing environment under HACCP, USDA and/or FDA
- 2+ years facilitating food safety/quality related training events
- Demonstrate leadership in the areas of food safety, plant regulatory and Quality Assurance
- Previous experience with Safe Quality Foods or SQF Expert Practitioner is a plus
- HACCP Certification from a nationally / internationally recognized and accredited body
- Ability to travel if needed.
- Ability to work in a team environment
