Food Safety Specialist Jobs

POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary responsibility of this role is to serve as the factory guardian for HACCP and Pre-Requisite Programs (PRP) to ensure systems are in place driving Food Safety and Compliance as the base for maintaining consumer trust and preference. Oversite of this position includes the HACCP and Pre-Requisite Programs for factory sanitation, environmental monitoring, pest control program, auditing for compliance against regulatory/internal requirements, and facilitating training across the factory to ensure PRP program requirements are met and maintained. The position assists with activities of Quality Assurance, such as food safety risk assessments.
COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Vital Proteins is a dynamic organization consisting of a team of passionate individuals who believe whole-food-based nutrition is essential for overall health, fitness, and wellbeing. Our team is comprised of intelligent and innovative talent who work collaboratively to ensure creativity, success, and global growth. At Vital Proteins, our mission is to empower our company, team, customers, and consumers to live a full, vibrant life. We seek to hire, develop, and support individuals, who continually ask questions and seek out ways to improve strategies and tactics involving our brands, sales, operations, innovation and other go-to market activities.
ROLE:
The primary responsibility of this role is to serve as the factory guardian for HACCP and Pre-Requisite Programs (PRP) to ensure systems are in place driving Food Safety and Compliance as the base for maintaining consumer trust and preference. Oversite of this position includes the HACCP and Pre-Requisite Programs for factory sanitation, environmental monitoring, pest control program, auditing for compliance against regulatory/internal requirements, and facilitating training across the factory to ensure PRP program requirements are met and maintained. The position assists with activities of Quality Assurance, such as food safety risk assessments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Acts as the factory Food Safety Specialist and serves as the primary factory contact for all aspects of the Allergen Management Program by assessing the standards and organizing implementation of the allergen program – Cleaning Matrix & associated forms, Ingredient/Recipe MAD documentation review and SAP recipe approvals.

• Adjusts to changing priorities without losing sight of food safety commitment.
• Takes direction from the FS Quality Manager to implement new protocols and test scripts regarding CCP/OPRP checks.
• A member of the Food Safety Team and appraises the team on the implementation and effectiveness of the HACCP Plans.
• Conduct MOC’s to implement various food safety checks (e.g. New CCPs/OPRPs).
• Implement and adjust CCP/OPRP parameters to align with Dietary Supplement requirements and/or HACCP requirements.
• Implementation, routine management, and verification of PRP programs (MSS, Cleaning Programs, Pest Control, Environmental Montioring, GMP Audits).
• Directly involved with 3rd party certification programs (Kosher, Organic), associated audits (NSF, 3rd Party GFSI Certifications), implementation of program requirements and evaluating new recipes/ingredients.

HACCP PROGRAM:

• Coordinates and conducts other hazard analysis activities in support of NSF and FSSC 22000. Examples include the Prerequisite Programs and Outsourced Activities hazard analysis.
• Generates working HACCP documents, which serve as the foundation for food safety control programs that support NSF, Organic Certification, FSSC22000, 21CFR11, 21CFR111, 21CFR117 and other food safety requirements.
• Works with production teams on system improvements to prevent food safety risks identified during HACCP reviews.
• Supports the Food Safety Quality Manager in coordinating and conducting food safety hazard analysis. Supports in writing HACCP studies and corresponding HACCP Plans and process flows. Ensures alignement of the HACCP studies with the factory Master Manufacturing Records (MMRs) and Quality Monitoring Scheme (QMS) documentation. Supports FS Quality Manager in conducting other food safety risk assessments as needed (e.g. new equipment and MOC projects).

TRAINING & COMMUNICATION:
Identifies training needs and leads training programs to support the Food Safety Management System, including HACCP team training and training needed for the implementation of the HACCP Plan.

• Providing support to other quality systems within the plant as assigned.

SAFEFTY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

• Understand the environmental aspects of the position and take action to reduce these environmental impacts by conserving paper, electricity, water etc. Will also recycle all appropriate materials (paper, plastic, food, etc.)
• Follow factory safety & environmental objectives & targets
• Maintain compliance with regulations and refer to the Safety & Environmental Management System(s) on all related procedures and programs.
• Follow the plant safety rules; report incidents & unsafe conditions immediately

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
This position works autonomously under the supervision of the Food Safety Manager.
QUALITY:

• Maintain compliance with regulations and refer to Nestle Quality Management System on all related procedures and programs.
• Throughout all these responsibilities, maintains a focus on continuous improvement.
• Follow Nestle Good Manufacturing Practices, report food safety and quality issues immediately.
• Understand the food safety and quality aspects of the position as indicated on QMS, OJT's and SOP's that apply.
• Follow factory food safety, quality objectives & targets

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

• Frequently leads project teams of 1-5 quality experts and indirect leadership for the factory staff on food safety and hygiene related activities (Subject Matter Expert (SME) role).
• Oversite of the factory sanitation team and acts as site contact for third party sanitation and hygiene contracted services.
• This position does not require formal supervision of others. However, the individual must be able to solicit cross-functional cooperation throughout the factory team and lead HACCP teams during hazard analysis.

STRATEGIC IMPACT:
The Quality Assurance Specialist is vital in prevention of significant negative brand image impact as a potential result of non-conforming goods by ensuring appropriate batch disposition occurs so that at risk product does not enter the supply chain and cause potential recall or harm to consumers. Prevention and minimizing of rejections, improvement of factory processes, and positive impact on plant costs of Quality and non-Quality and compliance.
The Quality Assurance function is vital in impeding significant negative financial impact as a potential result of distributing nonconforming goods or receiving negative FDA evaluations
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or equivalent field.
EXPERIENCE:

• Exposure to different jobs within operations (production, maintenance) or within quality functions.
• Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Programs
• A minimum of two to three years of previous experience in a regulated food, dietary supplement, or pharma manufacturing environment with exposure to 21 CFR 111, 21 CFR 113 or 21 CFR 117, lean manufacturing philosophy, and FSSC 22000 / SQF regulations.
• Different exposure (e.g. Mission, Special Projects etc.).

SKILLS:

• Local language and English language written and spoken.
• Leadership and people development skills
• Focused attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required.
• Advanced communication skills, including technical writing and cross-functional collaboration.
• Able to set priorities and delegate activities.
• Knowledge of application of federal regulations including 21 CFR 11, 21 CFR 111 and 21 CFR 117 preferred.
• Ability to prioritize workload and maintain the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs.
• Competence in advanced decision-making processes.
• Capable of performing public speaking roles, including group training.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Stork Program
• CAROT Nutrition
• Product Allowance
• PTO/ Matching 401k
• Paid Volunteer Days
• $150 Wellness
• Tuition reimbursement
• Fertility Journey Support
• Free Lunch/Snacks
• 3 FH

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At Vital Proteins, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.