Risk Specialist I , Product Safety Assurance, Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS)

Collaborate with Product Safety Assurance Specialists, Product Developers, Nutrition Compliance Analysts, Private Brands (PB) Merchandising Team, and Suppliers. Lead the development of product safety specifications and associated requirements for assigned food products sold by Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS) under Private Brands. This includes reviewing specifications and testing results to ensure consistent product safety for our customers.

Contribute to commercialization activities by providing technical guidance to help ensure products will meet WWGS PB, safety, regulatory and Quality Standards.

Key job responsibilities

• Develop appropriate chemical, microbiological, physical, and shelf-life test requirements for products based on supplier data, existing testing profiles, all applicable regulatory requirements, food safety or product safety risk, and all WWGS specific requirements
• Review applicable product claims and statements and determine criteria for claim validation
• Partner with Product Developers to incorporate characterizing product attributes into the testing profile
• Review Supplier Quality Reports and Facility Risk Assessments to determine appropriate risk of product and facility and adjust specification or verification plans accordingly
• Review Supplier Food Safety Plans, product risk assessments, and applicable facility documents to develop product testing profiles
• Review Supplier documents and test results to ensure adherence to WWGS PB and regulatory standards, and adherence to agreed WWGS testing profiles
• Partner with their Team Lead, WWGS legal team, and cross-functional stakeholders to determine product testing needs to meet state, federal, and international regulatory requirements. Present findings, recommendations, and project decisions to leaders up to 3 tiers above level, as needed.
• Review and approve shelf-life study validation parameters with Suppliers for new and existing products
• Partner with appropriate stakeholders as needed to determine product performance acceptability and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) plans for out of specification test results
• Monitor existing product test results for compliance with ongoing periodic testing per the agreed testing profiles
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders on interpretation of data trends, product improvement activities, and test results, as needed.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to ensure products meet WWGS PB Quality Standards and regulatory requirements throughout the lifespan of the product
• Provide informal support and guidance to less experienced team members, as needed