Food Safety Manager

About the role

Under the direction of the Food Safety Quality Assurance Director, the FSQA Manager will fulfill a core operational role by managing and coordinating activities of our Quality Assurance and Sanitation departments by performing specialized tasks including, but not limited to: assuring consistent quality of production by developing and enforcing good manufacturing practice (GMP) systems, validating processes, providing documentation and third-party audit regulation meeting the quality standard expected by the organization and laid out by the prevailing regulatory body. This job involves running tests, keeping a record of defects, analyzing products, and overseeing procedures within food production.

How you'll spend your time at Tovala

• Support the development and maintenance of Tovala Food Safety and Quality Systems, designed to meet the regulatory, Food Safety, and Quality requirements to assure compliance with SQF requirements, including sanitation-related activities.
• Manages internal and external complaint programs, including but not limited to: verification that complaints are documented adequately, preparing trend reports, initiating corrective actions, and making appropriate dialogue with customers.
• Develops, implements, and manages quality and food safety programs, policies, and procedures to adhere to regulatory, internal, and 3rd party requirements; including, but not limited to: allergen control, recall and traceability, supplier approval and management.
• Monitor and verify preventive controls and critical control points for food safety plans, including allergen, sanitation, and process preventive controls, etc.
• Monitor the production process and finished product by sensory, weight control, and analytical methods to maintain product consistency and comply with established specifications including color, moisture, pH, weight, size, etc.
• Receive, label, and safely store samples from the R & D team and production line to conduct lab tests and analysis.
• Perform and document all testing with precision and accuracy.
• Maintain and clean lab equipment.
• Perform environmental monitoring swabs, investigate the root cause, and track, and trend the results.
• Conduct internal audit and follow up corrective actions. Perform pre-op and post-op inspections.
• Hires, trains, supervises, motivates, and develops Quality Assurance and Sanitation department team; manages schedules and workflow.
• Maintenance of Chemical Inventory.
• Chemical Training for facilities and team members.
• Master Sanitation Log upkeep.

Requirements

• 5+ years of food manufacturing, meal kit and delivery companies, airline food production, retail or institutional commissaries or food packaging operations (especially perishable or ready-to-eat products)
• 5+ years of people management experience.
• Experience leading teams of at least five people.
• Chemical handling experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal speaking skills.
• Must be ok working on your feet for up to 8 hours per day in a cold environment (39 degrees F). Success in this role requires someone who is present on the floor, learning the process hands-on and leading by example.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree, Food Science degree or related equivalent degree preferred.
• SQF and PCQI Certifications preferred.

Benefits

• Flexible paid time off (with a minimum of 15 days off you HAVE to take).
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in
• 401k with match.
• Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals.
• Paid holidays and our winter holiday office shutdown where the offices and facilities close for a week around Christmas and New Years.
• Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, in-office coffee, snacks and drinks, and Tovala swag.