Job Title: HACCP/Food Safety/PCQI Specialist
Reports to: Senior Manager of Sales, Marketing, and Systems Integration
Responsible For: NA
++Job Summary:++ The HACCP/Food Safety/PCQI Specialist is responsible for implementing and maintaining food safety programs, including HACCP, SQF, and CanadaGAP, ensuring all products meet regulatory and quality standards at Norfolk Fruit Growers Association, Norfolk Cherry Company, and Schuyler Farms. As the designated Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), this role leads food safety initiatives from intake through shipment, drives continuous improvement, and ensures training across the processing division. The Specialist collaborates with other departments to maintain compliance with regulations, conducts audits, and resolves food safety issues. The role requires an individual who embodies the company's values of being humble, driven, and solutions-oriented.
Humble -- Employees that are team players and are respectful of others and the job at hand. Great team players lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Humble employees are quick to point out contributions of others and slow to seek attention of their own.
Driven -- Employees who are motivated and focused on self improvement. Driven or hungry employees are always looking for more. More things to do, learn, and take responsibility for. They never have to be pushed by a manager to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent.
Solutions Oriented -- Employees who focus on solving, and preventing problems from occurring, not just identifying them. This is equal parts of problems with systems and processes and the common sense that an employee has about people. They are aware, act appropriately, ask good questions, and listen to understand.
Role and Accountability:
- Owns and manages HACCP, SQF, CanadaGAP, and PCQI programs.
- Performs inspections in compliance with food safety regulations.
- Ensures food safety across all stages, from raw fruit to finished product, and ongoing quality control of stored fruit prior to shipment. Including packing materials (cardboards, bags, trays, etc.)
- Leads audits, risk assessments, and ensures regulatory compliance for food safety.
- Trains employees on food safety, hygiene practices, and standards.
- Maintains up-to-date food safety documentation that is aligned with operational realities and can be effectively implemented in all aspects of production.
- Collaborates with growers and suppliers to ensure food safety throughout the supply chain. Including being the growers' CanadaGap support/main contact.
- Reports on food safety issues and customer complaints to senior management.
- Maintains updated knowledge of food safety regulations and industry standards.
- Drives food safety initiatives, focusing on continuous improvement and training.
- Support the development and maintenance of departmental SOPs, policies, and procedures by providing input, ensuring team compliance, and facilitating training to uphold operational standards.
- Execute daily responsibilities to meet departmental goals while adhering to company values (Humble, Driven, Solutions-Oriented).
- Provide feedback and suggestions to improve processes within the scope of the role.
- Attend relevant department and company-wide meetings, including Level 10 meetings, contributing to organizational alignment and effectiveness.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to address challenges, develop solutions, and align strategies with company goals.
- Utilize Microsoft To-Do (or similar) for task tracking and reminders, ensuring productivity and accountability.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge and familiarity with production line operations and procedures.
- Strong communication skills both verbal and written. Have a high degree of emotional intelligence and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate to different audiences and manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of the organization.
- Self-starter and eager to learn new concepts, skills, and systems.
- Ability to lead a department through ongoing coaching and performance reviews
- Agility to adapt to change, manage evolving issues or situations, backfill critical roles where required.
- High level of organization, attention to detail, and accuracy.
- Excellent time management, with the ability to prioritize and delegate where required.
Education and Experience:
- Post-secondary education in Agriculture, Food Science, or related field is considered an asset.
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, SQF, CanadaGap and PCQI programs and their administration and implementation
- Knowledge of orchard operations and food processing an asset
- Experience in certification of quality control and food safety programs is a strong advantage.
In accordance with the Ontario Human rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The Company is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment and selection process. Applicants should advise Human Resources if they require any type of accommodation during the recruitment process.
