Food Safety Coordinator

Reports To: Food Safety Director

Location: Chicago, full time on site

Type: Full-Time Exempt

Travel: Up to 30%

Role Overview:

Seeking a highly skilled and goal-oriented Food Safety Coordinator in the fresh produce industry, specializing in berries. The Food Safety Coordinator ensures compliance with FDA regulations, customer requirements, GFSI certifying bodies, and the company's food safety programs. This role involves developing and implementing policies, conducting training, performing audits, investigating incidents, and supporting crisis management efforts. The coordinator collaborates with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers to meet all food safety requirements and industry standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, CFIA, etc.), experience in food production environments, and certifications in HACCP and PCQI. Fluency in English and Spanish, along with expertise in food safety auditing, are preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required for this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to ensure individuals with disabilities are able to perform the work functions.

•Assist the Food Safety Director in ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, FSMA, CFIA).

•Monitor compliance with relevant food safety regulations, including conducting internal and supplier audits.

•Stay updated on food safety regulations, pathogen risks, crisis management, and organic certification by attending seminars, conferences, and training sessions.

•Represent the company in interactions with regulatory agencies and industry groups.

•Develop and implement food safety policies and procedures that comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

•Ensure compliance with HACCP plans and risk assessments, including Foreign Supplier Verification Program compliance.

•Develop and deliver food safety training to employees at all levels of the organization.

•Create written communications and training materials for warehouse employees in English and Spanish.

•Conduct internal audits and inspections to ensure compliance with food safety policies and procedures.

•Monitor and investigate food safety incidents, determining root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Food Safety Coordinator

•Maintain accurate documentation on food safety activities and prepare detailed reports for senior management.

•Work closely with suppliers to ensure compliance with Food Safety, Organic, and Social Responsibility requirements.

•Serve as the primary point of contact for customer and vendor documentation requests.

•Collaborate with customers to ensure compliance with their requirements, including contamination events, recalls, and traceability.

•Develop and manage emergency response plans for food safety crises, including recall protocols.

•Lead investigations and resolution processes for food safety incidents, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.

•Collaborate with other departments to integrate food safety practices across the organization.

•Provide expertise on food safety-related projects and initiatives, supporting continuous improvement.

•Support sustainability efforts by implementing and promoting safe and environmentally friendly practices.

•Foster a food safety culture by engaging employees in proactive food safety practices.

•Ability to work in warehouses, distribution, and production environments, with occasional visits to farms and suppliers.

•Some domestic and international travel may be required for audits, training, and supplier visits.

•Ensure compliance with the Food Safety Program for the Chicago distribution center.

Key Deliverables:

Compliance Documentation and Records:

•Maintain up-to-date food safety documentation, including HACCP plans, SOPs, and SSOPs.

•Compile and update records related to FDA, USDA, GFSI, and other regulatory standards.

•Maintain Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) compliance records.

•Track and document food safety incidents, corrective actions, and resolution processes.

Audit and Inspection Reports:

•Conduct internal audits and prepare detailed reports outlining compliance with food safety standards.

•Coordinate third-party audits (e.g., GlobalGAP, PrimusGFS) and customer inspections.

•Document non-conformances and track corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).

Training Materials and Records:

•Prepare training materials (English/Spanish) for warehouse and operational staff. Conduct successfully employee training sessions and maintain training attendance records.

Incident and Crisis Management Documentation:

• Maintain emergency response plans for contamination events, recalls, and foodborne illness outbreaks.

• Document investigation processes and corrective measures taken after incidents.

• Develop recall plans and maintain traceability documentation.

Risk Assessment and Analysis:

• Conduct hazard analyses and risk assessments related to food safety practices.

• Identify critical control points (CCPs) and develop mitigation strategies.

• Analyze trends in non-compliance and develop action plans to address recurring issues.

Program Implementation and Monitoring: Implement food safety programs (e.g., HACCP, FSMA compliance) and monitor ongoing adherence.

Qualifications:

•Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field.

•Minimum of 5 years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or a related field.

•Proven experience conducting food safety audits using industry-standard auditing tools recognized by GFSI (e.g., BRC, SQF, Global GAP, Primus GFS).

•Training and strong understanding of CFIA, USDA, FDA, FSVP, PSR, and produce quality standards.

•Demonstrated ability to develop and manage comprehensive food safety programs and management systems.

•In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and industry standards.

•Strong analytical skills for risk assessments and hazard analyses.

•HACCP and PCQI certifications (Required).

•Understanding of USDA-National Organic Program.

•Knowledge of pesticide regulations for the US, Canada, and Europe.

•Familiarity with local, state, and federal laws and requirements.

Key Competencies:

•Passion for food and familiarity with fruits and vegetables.

•High degree of professionalism and personal integrity.

•Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

•Excellent communication skills and the ability to deliver effective training and presentations.

•Strong team player with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

•Bilingual written and verbal communication skills (English and Spanish).

•Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

•Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

•Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.

•Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data effectively.

Physical Abilities:

•Extended Computer Use: The role requires prolonged periods of computer use, including typing, data analysis, and report generation.

•Standing and Walking: Frequent standing and walking may be necessary, especially during operation shifts in warehouse, suppliers/customer facilities, meetings, presentations, or visits to other locations.

•Travel: Regular travel to suppliers/customer facilities, manufacturing facilities, and farms may be required in US. Occasionally required to travel domestically and internationally to attend meetings, conferences, and other business-related events.

•Lifting and Carrying: While not typically a primary responsibility, the role may occasionally involve lifting or carrying lightweight objects.

•Manual Dexterity: Frequently required to use hands to type, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.

•Visual Requirements: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex statistical data, databases, financial data and information on a computer screen and in printed materials.

•Communication: Regularly required to communicate with others to exchange information effectively by email, both in person and via telephone or video conferencing

•Stress Management: The ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment is important for success in the role.

•Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities, deadlines, and business needs are necessary.

•Professional Appearance: Maintaining a professional appearance is important, especially when representing the company at external events or meetings.

Notice: Sun Belle is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Sun Belle has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

Sun Belle LLC

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