Food Safety Specialist (Harvest)

The Food Safety Specialist supports the implementation, administration, verification, training, recordkeeping, and continuous improvement of the Company’s food safety program. Responsibilities extend across all operating regions, including the Salinas Valley, Castroville, Huron, Oxnard, Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley, and Yuma, Arizona.

The specialist assists the Food Safety Manager and team in maintaining compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards. Responsibilities include food safety documentation, traceability activities, environmental monitoring, audit preparation, employee training, and mock recalls.

This year-round position is based in Castroville, California, and requires travel to remote growing regions. Depending on the assigned area and seasonal business needs, temporary relocation may also be required.

• All Assignments:
  • Help support the goals and objectives of Ocean Mist Farms’ food safety program
  • Implement policies and programs that provide guidance and education on food safety and food defense
  • Conduct prepared food safety training sessions, monthly, annual orientations and as needed
  • Conduct daily and monthly GMP and GAP inspections to verify compliance with company food safety programs, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards
  • Enforce policies related to food safety and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) through auditing
  • Prepare and maintain annual documents
  • Establish comprehensive corrective actions
  • Share detailed and accurate findings report with necessary departments and personnel
  • Conduct follow up inspections for corrective actions adherence
  • Identify food safety risks, compliance concerns, process improvement opportunities, and recommend corrective actions
  • Work with suppliers to obtain and evaluate the necessary annual documentation such as LOAs, COI, 3rd party audits for supplier approval
  • Follow up on incomplete, inaccurate or records with critical findings to solve and prevent future recurrences
  • Identify trends
  • Assist in troubleshooting food safety problems and implementing improvements
  • Complete incident report as necessary
  • Accurately document the chain of custody sampling forms
  • Address customer/ consumer inquiries and work with appropriate staff to resolve
  • Communicate results to the appropriate team member or grower in a timely manner

• Harvest ​Adhere to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Leafy Greens standards (LGMA) as minimum standards for agricultural throughout harvest operations Conduct risk assessments for harvest equipment 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 Assist in addressing and resolving customer and consumer complaints effectively and professionally. 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. Coordinate and oversee GAP and 3rd party audits; Prepare harvest crews and personnel for food safety audits, 3rd party, customer, organic, regulatory LGMA or PSR inspections Performs the PSR record review and sign-off on applicable food safety records 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 Investigate farm incident reports Coordinate and collect samples for water, tissue and others as needed Conduct ATP testing and microbiological sampling collection in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements Inventory, Reporting & Operational Support Prepare reports, maintain databases, and analyze food safety data using Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and reporting tools

• Produce Safety Training (PSR)
• Environmental Assessments (LGMA)