EHS Partner/FSQA Partner - Stockton, CA

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K Program

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

United Natural Foods, Inc. seeks an FSQA/EHS Partner to reinforce our safety-first culture across Distribution Center operations in Stockton, CA.

You will help implement the EHS strategy, ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and pest control, and act as a key advisor to DC leadership on regulatory matters. You will lead training, develop corrective actions, and ensure alignment with SQF and other certifications while collaborating with internal teams and external partners to improve

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science required.
• 3+ years in related food fields and/or progressive EHS program management experience.
• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications highly desired; ASP certification preferred.
• Familiarity with FDA Food Code, OSHA, RFDA, and GFSI schemes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate food safety, sanitation, and pest control compliance efforts.
• Ensure regulatory standards are met by third-party providers through surveys/visits.
• Conduct food safety assessments at internal DC locations and third-party sites as needed.
• Review findings with DC leadership and ensure corrective action plans are completed.
• Maintain compliance with SQF, GDP, and food safety programs; train associates.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Leadership

Training ability

Education

Associate degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science

Bachelor’s degree preferred in EHS or related field

HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner certifications preferred

ASP certification preferred

Tools

Regulatory knowledge tools

Job description

Purpose:

The FSQA/EHS Partner supports the UNFI teams to deliver on a critical UNFI value: “Do the Right Thing – Put Safety and Integrity at the Forefront of Everything We Do.” This position will aid the organization in delivery on this critical value – day in and day out as well as being responsible for ensuring the execution of the company’s EHS strategy/goals in a fast paced and complex environment. The role 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 and serves as a main advisor on EHS matters for/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.

FSQA 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

EHS Job Responsibilities:

• Execute injury prevention programs/initiatives to motivate and influence the creation of a world class safety culture and minimize injury risk
• Identify, assess, and control site-level hazards, including supporting Supervisors in completing detailed incident investigations with root cause analyses
• Analyze and identify trends that increase injury and accident frequency/severity; develop and direct the implementation of training programs using the appropriate media
• Partner and collaborate with all functional leaders to influence and help manage EHS resources, projects, and business decisions
• Provide input on the design of standardized safety systems, policies, training, campaigns and programs to reduce risk, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws
• Support environmental compliance and claims programs
• Create a network of internal (operations, human resources, finance, legal, claims and security/loss prevention) and external alliances (industry partners, safety groups) to develop and implement EHS policies, programs, procedures, standards, training, and processes
• Perform other job duties as required.

Job Requirements:

Education/Certification:

• Associate degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science or related field required
• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in EHS, risk management or a closely related field is preferred
• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications highly desired
• ASP (Associate Safety Professional) certification is preferred

Experience:

• 3+ years’ experience in related food fields and/or progressive EHS program management experience
• 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, OSHA, Root Cause Investigation, Food Safety Modernization Act and Seafood HACCP requirements
• Familiarity with GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) schemes
• Broad working knowledge of federal, state & local EHS laws and regulations

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
• 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

Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workday

Stooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be required in completion of job duties

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.