Food Safety Specialist (Harvest)

The Food Safety Specialist is responsible for supporting the implementation, administration, verification, and continuous improvement of the company’s food safety and regulatory compliance programs across harvest operations. This position supports operations in Castroville, Salinas, Coachella, Westmorland, Yuma, Huron, Oxnard, and other growing regions as business needs require. The specialist supports the Food Safety Supervisor in maintaining compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards, while carrying out food safety documentation, traceability activities, environmental monitoring, audit preparation, employee training, mock recalls, and harvest supply inventory management.

This position requires seasonal relocation to Coachella during harvest operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Assist in ensuring regulatory compliance and enforcing food safety policies throughout harvest operations
• Support the Food Safety Supervisor as a primary resource for food safety compliance, audit readiness, and regulatory requirements
• Conduct routine field inspections to verify compliance with company food safety programs, customer requirements, and regulatory standards
• Ensure daily execution of food safety practices by harvest crews, supervisors, contractors, and other stakeholders, identifying and addressing gaps in understanding to promote consistent compliance
• Support adherence to current FSMA requirements and company food safety standards as minimum operational requirements
• Identify food safety risks, compliance concerns, and process improvement opportunities, and recommend corrective actions
• Assist in monitoring, documenting, and investigating food safety incidents, customer complaints, and LGMA non-conformances or violations
• Assist in addressing and resolving customer and consumer complaints effectively and professionally

Audits, Testing & Verification

• Participate in Primus third-party audits, risk assessments, customer audits, supplier inspections, and regulatory visits
• Conduct ATP testing, microbiological sampling, and water sample collection in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements
• Assist with the development, implementation, and verification of Harvest Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs)
• Support sanitation activities and verify compliance with established sanitation procedures
  

Traceability & Documentation Management

• Coordinate the collection, organization, review, and submission of food safety documentation required for audits, regulatory compliance, and customer requests
• Retrieve and review harvest documentation packets for completeness and accuracy, following up with Harvest Supervisors and Foreman and other departments to obtain missing information or resolve discrepancies
• Support product traceability activities, including record reviews, data collection, and verification of documentation required for trace-back investigations
• Participate in mock recall exercises and assist with corrective actions, documentation, and follow-up activities
• Utilize FAMOUS, KipTraq, and other food safety systems to maintain records, track compliance activities, manage traceability data, and support reporting requirements

Training & Employee Support

• Assist with training harvest crews, contractors, and sanitation personnel on food safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Promote company food safety programs by educating employees on trends, best practices, and changes impacting food safety and quality standards
• Communicate policy updates and support continuous improvement initiatives across harvest operations

Inventory, Reporting & Operational Support

• Prepare reports, maintain databases, and analyze food safety data using Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and reporting tools
• Monitor and maintain inventories of food safety and harvest-related supplies, ensuring materials are available and distributed to harvest crews as needed
• Work with various types of harvest equipment while promoting safe and sanitary operating practices
• Collaborate with commodity managers and cross-functional departments to support operational and food safety objectives

Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements and Responsibilities

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biological Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Minimum of two (2) years of food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance experience within the food, produce, agriculture, or manufacturing industry preferred
• Bilingual English and Spanish highly preferred
• Working knowledge of GAP, GMP, HACCP, FSMA, LGMA, and USDA/FDA regulations applicable to fresh produce operations
• Experience supporting product traceability, mock recalls, and recall readiness programs preferred
• Experience reviewing, organizing, and maintaining food safety documentation, compliance records, and audit-related documentation preferred
• Experience conducting ATP testing, microbiological sampling, environmental monitoring, and water sample collection preferred
• Familiarity with investigating and responding to LGMA findings, non-conformances, and corrective actions preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, sorting, filtering, and data analysis
• Experience utilizing food safety and inventory management systems such as FAMOUS, KipTraq, or similar software preferred
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, documentation requirements, and deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and organizational levels
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability and willingness to travel to all harvest locations and growing regions as required
• Valid California Driver's License (Class C), acceptable driving record, and ability to operate a company vehicle