Food Safety Specialist
Central Coast-based operations (relocation support available)
$26–$31/hour + full-time benefits
Overview
A leading, vertically integrated produce company is seeking a Food Safety Specialist to support and execute food safety programs across multiple growing regions. This role partners closely with the Food Safety Manager and plays a key part in ensuring compliance, training, and continuous improvement across both field and facility operations. This is a highly visible, hands-on role with exposure to ranch operations, harvest crews, and processing environments throughout California and Arizona.
This role is primarily focused within a refrigerated facility/cooler environment (≈70% facility / 30% field), supporting value-added production with strong exposure to food safety programs, audits, and training. Bilingual in Spanish/English required.
Consistent Monday–Friday schedule supporting work-life balance within a culture built on respect, teamwork, and employee engagement
What You’ll Do
Program Execution & Compliance
- Support and implement company-wide food safety and food defense programs
- Ensure compliance with FSMA, GMP, HACCP, GAP, LGMA, and regulatory standards
- Conduct routine GMP inspections (weekly/monthly) across facilities
- Perform risk assessments for ranches and harvest crews
Training & Auditing
- Deliver food safety training sessions for field and facility teams
- Lead and support internal audits and coordinate third-party GMP/GAP audits
- Prepare growers and facilities for food safety and organic inspections
Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
- Conduct mock recalls and support traceability processes
- Investigate food safety incidents and customer complaints
- Assist in troubleshooting issues and implementing corrective actions
Testing & Equipment Oversight
- Coordinate environmental sampling (harvest equipment, cold storage, processing areas)
- Maintain chain-of-custody documentation and communicate results
- Verify calibration and performance of food safety equipment (thermometers, pH meters, ATP systems, etc.)
- Evaluate new testing technologies as needed
What You Bring
- 2–3+ years of experience in food safety, QA, or regulatory compliance (produce or food manufacturing preferred)
- Degree or background in food science, biology, or related field
- PCQI certification required; PSR preferred
- Strong knowledge of GMP, GAP, HACCP, LGMA, and FDA/USDA standards
- Experience with audits, inspections, and recall/traceability processes is a plus
- Solid communication, documentation, and organizational skills
- Comfortable working independently in both field and facility environments
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
- Bilingual English/Spanish required
Additional Requirements
- Valid California driver’s license and ability to operate a company vehicle
- Willingness to travel regionally (up to one week at a time as needed)
- Ability to work across multiple growing regions (Salinas, Oxnard, Santa Maria, Yuma, etc.)
Why This Role
- Broad exposure across field + processing operations
- Strong foundation for growth within food safety leadership
- Opportunity to join a well-established, high-volume fresh food operation
- Consistent Monday–Friday schedule supporting work-life balance within a culture built on respect, teamwork, and employee engagement