Purpose:   

The most important value at UNFI is “Do the Right Thing – Put Safety and Integrity at the Forefront of Everything We Do.” The FSQA Partner position will aid the organization deliver on this critical value – day in and day out. The role is fast-paced and complex and has responsibility for helping maintain a world class food safety culture in which UNFI associates are proactive and interdependent when it comes to food safety. 

Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, and pest control programs within their location. Interacts with Distribution Center (DC) leadership teams to ensure policies, procedures, audits, and training programs are understood and followed. This includes comprehensive support of any and all regulatory certifications.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Coordinates food safety, sanitation, and pest control compliance efforts as required

• Ensures regulatory standards are met by third party sanitation and pest elimination providers by conducting occasional joint surveys/visits

• Conducts food safety assessments at internal DC location and 3rd party locations if needed

• Ensures compliance with 3rd party certifications

• Review findings with DC leadership and ensures corrective action plans are detailed and completed with leadership support to improve food safety culture

• Be and stay current with all State, Federal, and local regulatory agencies to ensure compliance regarding local DC

• Operations as well as adhere to SQF standards

• Uses available metrics and reporting systems to track and measure food safety performance, identifying exceptions to outstanding performance and influencing leadership to resolve specific and cultural opportunities

• Manages SQF, GDP, and food safety programs, including document review of records, associate training, and oversight of corrective actions

• Directs activities in maintaining and executing effective food safety, food defense, and recall plans, policies, and processes in Distribution Center operations

• Provides food safety training and support to operations and internal/external partners

• Collaborates with operations partners to ensure compliance during facility changes and/or new site developments

• Investigates product quality and compliance issues (i.e. tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.)

• Maintains active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodies

• Consistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, and nurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone’s top priority

• Performs other relevant job duties as required

Job Requirements: 

Education/Certification:

• Associate degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science or related field required

• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications highly desired

Experience:

• 3+ years’ experience in related food fields

• Experience with interpreting state and federal regulations, and maintaining working relationships with industry and regulatory officials

• Ability to coordinate planning and collaboration with other business functions in a way that is mutually beneficial and drives continuous improvement

• Ability to analyze and independently resolve a variety of difficult situations and problems using timely decision making

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with FDA Food Code, Food Safety Modernization Act and Seafood HACCP requirements

• Familiarity with GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) schemes

• Working knowledge of Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA) is beneficial

Skills/ Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact and influence effectively with all levels of management, employees, and customers and experience collaborating with unions

• Ability to balance multiple priorities and ensure significant issues are communicated clearly to relevant stakeholders in timely manner

• Strong analytical skills required for data interpretation and analysis

• Computer skills in word-processing and spreadsheet software preferred

• Must be able to interface effectively with a wide variety of personnel

• Possess ability to communicate concepts, systems, procedures, etc., in a training environment

• Experience in training large groups is helpful

• Must possess leadership ability to inspire others to achieve desired results

• Flexible and adaptable to learning and understanding new technologies

• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Power point and Excel

• Adapts well to and initiates change in the organization

• Limited travel may be required

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

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