Manager, Food Safety & Quality

Mastronardi Produce Ltd.; Livonia (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastronardi Produce in Livonia, MI is seeking a Manager, Food Safety and Quality to lead the SQF program at the distribution center and ensure continuous compliance with safety standards. You will direct the Food Safety Team, coordinate audits, and drive improvements across operations.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s in food science and 5–7 years in food safety/quality, with PCQI/HACCP certifications, SQF experience, and strong leadership abilities for a 24/7 operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field.
• 5–7 years in Food Safety/Quality Assurance/Management.
• Minimum 2 years supervisory experience.
• Current HACCP and PCQI certifications.
• SQF experience and FSMA implementation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SQF Program at the distribution center.
• Supervise the food safety team and conduct evaluations.
• Act as SQF Practitioner and PCQI backup.
• Lead third-party and regulatory audits.
• Manage data collection for KPIs and reporting.
• Address food safety and quality issues promptly.
• Provide after-hours support for 24x7 operation.

Skills

Leadership

Traceability & recall planning

HACCP & PCQI procedures

SQF knowledge

Auditing

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Analytical skills

Time management

Data management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

Mastronardi Produce pioneered the commercial greenhouse industry in North America, and we’re now the leading greenhouse vegetable company on the continent. Our award‑winning, flavorful produce is packed under the SUNSET® brand and is available at leading grocery retailers across North America. Family owned for over 65 years, we pride ourselves on having the most flavorful products and the best people in the industry. We are constantly pushing boundaries to be a leader in fresh produce innovation. We seek individuals that demonstrate our PRIDE values (Passion, Respect, Innovation, Drive, Excellence) to help us fulfill our mission to inspire healthy living through WOW flavor experiences.

Our location in Livonia, Michigan currently seeking a Manager, Food Safety and Quality. The Food Safety Manager will provide leadership, direction and day‑to‑day support to operations management to drive compliance with the corporate Safe Quality Foods plan. The Food Safety Manager is directly responsible for the oversight and maintenance of the Food Safety & Food Quality system (FSS) activities at the assigned distribution facility - by providing guidance, communication and follow‑up on FSS policies, procedures and documentation and coordinating the resolution of specific policy‑related and procedural problems and incidences.
You will also act as the food safety subject matter expert at the selected distribution center, including acting as lead during all 3rd party and regulatory audits. Oversee the core Food Safety Team and all aspects of managing the food safety group at this location. This position may also be assigned an indirect assignment to support the FS team and one of our smaller facilities.

Values:

To perform the job successfully, the incumbent’s behavior must be consistent with the PRIDE values expected of all Mastronardi Produce employees: be Passionate; have Respect; be Innovative; be Driven and strive for Excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Directly responsible for the oversight and maintenance of the SQF Program at the assigned Mastronardi Produce, distribution center.
• Supervise food safety team members, approve time off, conduct performance evaluations, provide effective and continuous feedback to drive excellence
• Serves as the designated Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Practitioner and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
• This position may also be assigned an indirect assignment to support the FS team and one of our smaller facilities. This would include providing supervisor support and assistance and helping to ensure the FS program is fully implemented and executed at any facility they are assigned.
• Responsible for overseeing collection of data for Food Safety and Quality KPI’s
• Assist the management of the facility in achieving set Food Safety and Quality KPI’s
• Acts as SQF Practitioner and PCQI back up, when necessary, to any other Mastronardi owned facility
• Conduct routine audits of internal food safety program, product specifications and organics program, providing reports to management for continuous improvement
• When necessary, take charge of critical food‑safety & quality issues and promptly bring them to resolution while maintaining adherence to legislative and regulatory requirements
• Conduct routine checks to verify proper record keeping by Operations Staff for Food Safety System and Organics Compliance Plan
• Corrective Action and Preventative Measures – log and track of non‑compliances and FSS incidences, do investigations, coordinate follow‑up and bring outstanding issues to closure
• Supervise FSS Training – assist in development of training programs, conduct training classes, maintain training records
• Prepares, organizes, leads and conducts follow‑up for third‑party, government, and customer audits
• Acts as the emergency contact for the facility in Food Safety related issues including but not limited to recalls, power failures, potable water outages.
• Ensures issues are safely addressed.
• Obtain, input, tabulate FSS data and provide reports to Management
• Acts as the subject matter expert for food safety at the assigned facility
• Participates and is part of the leadership team at assigned facility
• Other duties as assigned.
• As a leader in the food safety team, you will be required to be contacted and available after hours to address emergencies and technical issue for a 24 x 7 distribution operation.

Bachelor’s Degree in food science, sciences (biology, chemistry etc.), agriculture or another related field is preferred.
A minimum five to seven years’ experience in a Food Safety/Quality Assurance/Management function, with specific knowledge of SQF Systems and FSMA implementation
A minimum 2 years supervisory experience is preferred

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams
• Experience conducting traceability and recall exercises
• Must maintain current HACCP certificate, PCQI certificate and Implementing SQF training documentation
• Quality certifications considered an asset
• Auditing experience required, with required ability to read and interpret documentation for regulatory and audit standards
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems, HACCP, ISO 9001, cGMP, SQF etc.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills at all levels inside the business and externally with suppliers, customers and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent analytical, time management and organizational skills
• Technical skills, including computer proficiency and data management
• Strong customer, quality and continuous improvement focus
• Ability to document preventative and immediate corrective actions
• Valid passport and driver’s license must be maintained

Working Conditions:

• Standard office environment and time spent in an expansive refrigerated warehouse, where the temperature averages 50°F. The background noise approaches 70 dcbs.
• Capable of lifting at least 10 lbs.
• Position requires sitting, standing, walking and bending on a regular basis
• Climbing platform ladders is also a requirement.
• Must have manual dexterity to perform computer skills.

Please note:

Mastronardi Produce has accommodation processes and policies in place and provides accommodation for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resource office so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodation to be put into place before you begin your employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.