Food Safety Specialist

Job Summary

Oversees food safety practices within a fresh fruit and/or vegetable Packinghouse or Value-Added Distribution Warehouse environment in support of the food-safe production of products. Ensures compliance with all state and federal food safety laws, requirements, and customer specifications. Inspects operations to ensure food safety records and good manufacturing practices are being maintained. Implements new or established techniques and procedures for inspecting and testing fresh produce. Acts as a subject matter expert in Quality and Food Safety.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Primarily oversees food safety compliance within the operation(s) to ensure fruit and/or veg products meet food safety standards, and sites maintain a ready state to pass food safety compliance audits.
• Works directly with the plant management team to maintain, modify, and improve the Quality System.
• Collects, reviews, and files all food safety paperwork in a timely manner. Ensures all food safety paperwork is being filled out accurately.
• Conducts daily pre-operational checks of the facility to ensure good housekeeping. Advises on needed actions or corrections.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the company’s values and ethics. Works with Packinghouse and Operations Management in decision-making processes to find solutions that meet optimal goals for production and food safety compliance.
• Observes packinghouse/Warehouse operations internally and externally, and notifies management of any food safety concerns or issues needing action.
• Performs quarterly/monthly internal self-audits, documents, and requests corrective actions as needed.
• Makes fruit inventory checks and performs pressure reports for fruit 15 days and older. Performs dry matter tests twice per week. Checks storage coolers for proper temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
• Verifies fruit ripening stage for certain customers, as needed. Calibrates thermometers weekly, pH meters, and other food safety instruments. Collects ATP and environmental samples to verify sanitation of the facility, coordinates sending samples to the laboratory.
• Conducts a variety of periodic and routine audits to document adherence to company standards, third-party standards, policy, and procedures. Inspects customer returns to verify quality of the product. Ensures all corrective actions are completed in a timely manner.
• Seeks opportunities to assist team members, be supportive, and strive to keep lines of communication open; must cooperate with supervisors and other employees in all assignments.
• May deliver or support Food Safety training segments, as requested. Ensures SOP’s related to Food Safety Management Systems, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Sanitation are followed.
• Performs other work duties and projects as assigned or required.

Basic Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• One year’s experience in a position with related job functions and/or skills, preferably within the agriculture or food manufacturing industry, combined with food operations environment experience.
• Knowledge of quality control as it relates to warehousing methods, importing, and exporting of produce.
• Knowledge of good manufacturing practices.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Strong knowledge of food safety compliance.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule (any days during the week including weekends when necessary); may be required to work the 2nd shift when required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred.
• Experience using MS Office software and a working knowledge of common applications such as ProducePro.
• Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities: Ability to become HACCP certified. Highly organized and detail-oriented. Excellent verbal and written communicator. Ability to work well with team members at varied levels with positive results and outcomes. Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 30 lbs. Ability to observe fruit on conveyors in continuous motion. Ability to work independently, high level of dependability and work ethic. Ability to apply critical and logical thinking skills, and exercise sound judgment. Ability to work within a fast-paced dynamic environment and multi-task effectively.

WORK DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this Job, it is primarily working in a Packinghouse, warehouse or chilled factory environment with prolonged standing and walking.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, reach, grab, carry items, talk, or hear with frequent use hands to finger, handle, and lift up to 30 lbs.
• Regularly exposed to chilled temperatures.

Calavo Culture

Calavo has a rich culture of constant innovation and sustainable practices. Calavo evolved from “the first name in avocados” into a global leader of quality produce and food products. We are committed to building diverse teams and an inclusive culture. Our values cultivate shared goals, respect, quality products with a motivated and engaged team that is passionate about what we do.

EEO Statement

Calavo Growers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind. Calavo is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Calavo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Calavo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.