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