Manager, Food Safety and Quality

Mastronardi Produce pioneered the commercial greenhouse industry in North America, and we’re now the leading greenhouse vegetable company on the continent. Our award-winning, flavorful produce is packed under the SUNSET® brand and is available at leading grocery retailers across North America. Family owned for over 65 years, we pride ourselves on having the most flavorful products and the best people in the industry. We are constantly pushing boundaries to be a leader in fresh produce innovation. We seek individuals that demonstrate our PRIDE values (Passion, Respect, Innovation, Drive, Excellence) to help us fulfill our mission to inspire healthy living through WOW flavor experiences.

Our Livonia, Michigan office is currently seeking a Manager, Food Safety and Quality to join our team This position will provide direct assistance to the Mastronardi owned Farm Leadership and or Joint Venture (JV) Leadership team and support the Senior Director, Food Safety; in meeting regulatory, third party, and internal food safety and quality requirements. This position will be responsible for overseeing and working with the Food Safety and operation teams at each assigned farm or JV operation to establish food safety standards and ensure execution and adherence to Mastronardi’s food safety Management system.

This position will also be the primary technical support for the food safety staff and operational leaders at the assigned company owned and/or JV farms. This function will include helping to oversee the completion of internal, 3rd party and regulatory inspections and audits. Meeting frequently with the farm/JV teams to provide leadership and technical support.

Values:

To perform the job successfully, the incumbent’s behavior must be consistent with the PRIDE values expected of all Mastronardi Produce employees: be Passionate; have Respect; be Innovative; be Driven and strive for Excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Be directly responsible for the food safety programs at assigned Mastronardi-owned growing centers and ensure audit compliance.
• Work through corporate compliance team to update & maintain corporate food safety documents, especially any new implementation for growing centers
• Further implementation of FSMA Produce Safety rule for all growing centers, and serve as Corporate Produce Safety rule subject matter expert
• Assist in the management of the food safety and quality assurance teams at the assigned farms.
• Oversee the internal audit process for the farms ensuring that audits are conducted as required. This will include ability to conduct internal audits.
• It is expected this position will travel several times during the year to each assigned farm to provide support to the food safety and operation team at the facility, conduct and review internal audits, participate in third party audits, customer audits and government inspections
• Provide feedback for employee performance.
• Serve as one of the Corporate Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Practitioner to oversee all aspects (e.g., development, implementation, management, training, corrective action, communication, verification, validation, auditing, etc.) of the SQF Program which is part of the overall FSS
• Shall serve as back up to all site SQF Practitioners of company owned facilities when necessary
• Develop, implement, maintain, review and continuously improve comprehensive corporate Food Safety System (FSS)
• Oversee and direct functions that support regulatory and industry compliance to the FSS and ensure compliance within the supply chain
• Oversee the agricultural chemical approvals program and consultant for assigned company-owned farms (e.g., CDMS)
• Oversee the execution and implementation of proper FS programs, sanitation, pest control, biosecurity and any other program needed to comply with third party and regulatory requirements.
• Continuously research, identify and evaluate best practices, and establish new resources, tools and methodologies to maximize effectiveness of the FSS
• For food-safety related complaints, assist with investigations and develop feedback to customers and consumers track information and oversee the process for corrective actions and establishment of preventative measures
• Must maintain confidentiality of all proprietary information, as well as other Company data, including personnel information
• And any other duties as need
• Liaison to all departments to provide guidance and support on food safety issues
• As a leader in the food safety team, you will be required to be contacted and available after hours to address emergencies and technical issue for a 24 x 7 distribution operation.

Education/Background Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in food science, sciences (biology, chemistry etc.), agriculture or another related field
• A minimum five to seven years’ experience in a Food Safety/Quality Assurance/Management function, with specific knowledge of SQF Systems and FSMA implementation
• A minimum 3-5 years’ supervisory experience.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams
• Experience conducting traceability and recall exercises
• Must maintain current HACCP certificate, PSA Grower’s Safety Training certificate and Implementing SQF training documentation
• Quality certifications considered an asset
• Auditing experience required, with required ability to read and interpret documentation for regulatory and audit standards
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is considered an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills at all levels inside the business and externally with suppliers, customers and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent analytical, time management and organizational skills
• Technical skills, including computer proficiency and data management
• Strong customer, quality and continuous improvement focus
• Ability to document preventative and immediate corrective actions
• Valid passport and driver’s license must be maintained
• Willingness to work with a high degree of professionalism and personal integrity.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. Need to be creative, adaptable and able to accurately handle out-of-the-ordinary issues with a sense of urgency.
• Comprehensive knowledge of general food-safety best practices, highly proficient in ability to document and work within GAPs, GMPs, HACCP, HACQP and SSOPs.
• Must maintain comprehensive knowledge of HACCP, HACQP, SQF and other required food­ safety standards.
• Strong knowledge of local, state and federal laws and requirements to maintain compliance to all relevant statues and guiding principles (FDA, USDA, CFIA, CTPAT, ACS, Food Defense).

Working Conditions:

• Standard office environment and, time spent in a refrigerated warehouse, where the temperature averages 34-50°F. The background noise approaches 70 dcbs.
• Must be able to work in greenhouses for short periods of time where the temperature may exceed 100°F
• Capable of lifting at least 10 lbs.
• Position requires sitting, standing, walking, crawling/crouching, and bending on a regular basis
• Climbing platform ladders/stairs is also a requirement.
• Must have manual dexterity to perform computer skills.
• Overnight travel is required for this position.

Please note: Mastronardi Produce has accommodation processes and policies in place and provides accommodation for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resource office so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodation to be put into place.