Food Safety Specialist at Calavo Growers Inc – Santa Paula, California

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. Inspect operations to ensure food safety records and good manufacturing practices are being maintained. Responsible for implementing new or established techniques and procedures for inspecting and testing fresh produce. Acts as a subject matter expert in Quality and Food Safety.

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.

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. Additional duties include:

• Collect, review and file all food safety paperwork in a timely manner. Will ensure 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.

• Work with Packinghouse and Operations Management in decision making processes to find solutions that meet optimal goals for production and food safety compliance.

• Observe packinghouse/ Warehouse operations internally and externally, and notify management of any food safety concerns or issues needing action.
• Perform quarterly/monthly internal self-audits, document and request corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor fruit inventory and perform pressure reports for fruit 15 days and older. Perform dry matter test twice per week.
• Check storage coolers for proper temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
• Verify fruit ripening stage for certain customers, as needed.
• Calibrate thermometers weekly, pH meters, and other food safety instruments. Collect ATP and environmental samples to verify sanitation of the facility, coordinate 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. Inspect customer returns to verify quality of the product.
• Ensure all corrective actions are completed in a timely manner.
• Will inspect and monitor size, weight, variety, and grade of individual containers of Outside Purchase fruit, document findings.
• Seek 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.

• Ensure SOP’s related to Food Safety Management Systems, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Sanitation are followed.
• Will be safety conscious in performing all work assignments and will utilize any safety equipment required.
• Will maintain a clean, hazard free work area at all times.
• Perform 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.
• Must possess strong knowledge of food safety compliance.
• Must be able 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.
• Must be able 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

some administrative functions. Exposed to chilled or warm temperatures within the operation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.