Food Safety Manager

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled Food Safety Manager to oversee and maintain food safety programs across our vegetable oil and grain processing facilities. This role is critical in ensuring compliance with all regulatory, customer, and internal food safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute against the development, implementation, review, and continuous improvement of the food safety management system and regulatory compliance programs at Adams Group across all producing locations.
• Ensure each facility maintains a robust food safety management system in line with the chosen GFSI standard for certification and all applicable regulatory and certification standards (FDA, FSMA, FGIS/USDA, etc.).
• Collaborate with Quality Director, Food Safety Director, Site Quality Manager and SQF Practitioners to continuously improve holistic Food Safety Management programs in support of a food safe, quality-first culture.
• Partner with operations, supply chain, sales, and other departments to integrate food safety into culture and work procedures.
• Co-Lead with the site Quality Manager, each site’s audit readiness programs, including third-party (GFSI, FDA, CDFA, etc.) and customer audits.
• Substitute SQF Practitioner for AVO and AGC
• Oversee the development, implementation, review, and management of each site’s SQF System having an understanding of the current edition of the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing and the requirements to implement and maintain an SQF System relevant to the site’s scope of certification;
• Communicate to relevant personnel all information essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of the SQF System.
• Oversight of company Food Safety training for Quality and Operations personnel.
• Oversight of internal auditing and inspection programs and Incident & Loss/Non-Conformance programs.
• Oversight of customer Food Safety complaints, holds and product return programs.
• Oversight of division documented validation activities.
• Alternate Recall Coordinator to the Food Safety Director.
• Schedule, document and complete action register for regular meetings with members of executive and site leadership.
• Ensure proper implementation of required prerequisite programs (allergen, CAPA, sanitation, foreign material control, pest control, environmental monitoring, employee hygiene, etc.) and verification and validation programs.
• Conduct hazard analyses, identify Preventive Controls and Critical Control Points, and validate control measures.
• Manage corrective actions and root cause analysis for food safety deviations and customer complaints related to food safety.
• Conduct risk assessments and root cause analyses to identify and correct food safety issues.
• Deliver training and coaching to staff on GMPs, sanitation, HACCP/PCHF rule, food safety awareness, and other programs or topics as per the employee training program’s Regulatory and GFSI requirements.
• Maintain and report KPIs for New Hire and employee refresher training.
• Stay current with changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Lead the Food Safety Team and ensure regular review and updates to the Food Safety Plan.
• Act as a key partner with other departments to support cross-functional initiatives, resolve food safety challenges, and drive continuous improvement across the facilities.
• Collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Quality teams to support continuous improvement and new product development from a food safety standpoint.
• Serve as one of Adams Group’s PCQIs responsible for document review in accordance with FDA’s requirements.
• Manage customer-facing Food Safety documentation and informational packets.
• First point of contact for food safety incidents (often in collaboration with Site Quality Manager)
• Investigates and real-time problem solves incidents & losses both independently and in collaboration with other departments such as operations, customer service, and production planning.
• Monthly review of incidents, analyze trends, compile findings for publication to management, operations, and sales team members.
• Promptly informs management of known or anticipated problems.
• Exercises tact and discretion in interpersonal contacts; respects confidentiality of privileged information particularly with developing products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Safety, or related field
• 5+ years experience in food production, especially in infant or early nutrition spaces
• Experience managing 1+ direct reports

Skills And Competencies

• Experience working with refined oils, expeller pressing, degumming, deodorization, and grain milling or storage is a plus.
• Proficient in food safety documentation and electronic quality management systems.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management certification or training preferred