Food Safety Director – SQF Practitioner / PCQI

Founded in 1945, Combs Wholesale Produce Company is a full line fresh produce distributor based in Winston-Salem, NC. The company serves a variety of clients including wholesalers, foodservice distributors, grocery stores and independent retailers throughout North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina.

Combs Wholesale Produce Company provides value to customers through consolidated purchasing and delivery of over 2,000 local, regional, and international items five days a week such as: fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, dried beans, peanuts, old-fashioned candy, cheese, sodas, ciders, baked goods, jar goods and country hams.

Summary of Role:

Combs Wholesale Produce Company is currently USDA GAP/GHP certified and seeks to acquire SQF Certification.  We are looking for a passionate, experienced leader to become part of our management team and oversee the creation of a robust food safety program to keep us compliant with all federal legislation and industry best practices. The Food Safety Director will serve as the lead for employee training, product recall communications, regulatory inspection visits and third-party audits.

When combined with our state-of-the-art facility and delivery capabilities, the program implemented by the Food Safety Director will enable Combs Wholesale Produce Company to unlock new business opportunities and become an industry leader in safe, quality, food distribution to best serve our existing and future customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Department Oversight:

• Review current food safety plans and operations to maintain USDA GAP/GHP Certification.
• Based on review, work with management and operations to develop a timeline, personnel additions and software changes required to achieve SQF certification.
• Upon SQF Certification, continuously improve and update existing programs to maintain compliance as well as direct the long-term strategy of food safety programs for the company.
• Schedule and conduct internal audits to verify and validate compliance.

Supplier Management:

• Organize and maintain a supplier approval program as well as update annual third-party certifications.
• Communicate with buyers at Combs any non-compliance in the status of vendors regarding all federal, state and local food safety regulations.
• Monitor food safety alerts and recalls from vendors to proactively communicate with relevant sales staff and customers.
• Provide all information regarding annual certifications for Combs and recalls as required by Vendors.

Employee and Customer Management:

• Organize a Food Safety Committee with management and key employees.
• Create training program for all employees on all shifts regarding food safety and their specific role.
• Coordinate with HR to find and hire employees to help execute the food safety program.
• Oversee with HR the development of a comprehensive sanitation program compliant with SQF code.
• Support operations and quality control staff in processes, procedures and record keeping promoting continuing food safety education.
• Perform mock recalls in coordination with sales staff and customers.
• Direct any recalls of affected products or food safety related complaints ensuring timely communication and corrective actions with customers and sales staff as needed.
• Ensure compliance with any customer’s requirements regarding food safety.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in: Food Science, Food Safety, Food Technology, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or Supply Chain/Operations from a four-year college/university.  Comparable work experience will be evaluated for non-degreed candidates.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in SQF/PCQI Practitioner role in the produce or food distribution industry.
• Solid knowledge and experience in SQF code, HACCP implementation, GAP/GHP, recall management and FSMA/USDA/FDA regulations and audits.
• Possess strong leadership, management, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as with management, employees, vendors and customers.
• Detail oriented with good judgement and planning skills.
• Must be able to work in a refrigerated warehouse environment and hands on with employees on different shifts as needed to train and grow our team.
• Develop effective training presentations and materials for all employees (we can assist in translations).
• Experience with Produce Pro Software will move candidate to the front of the line.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Located in Winston-Salem, NC or surrounding area or willing to relocate.

Certifications:

• SQF Practitioner
• PCQI
• HACCP