Senior Food Safety & Regulatory Manager

The Senior Food Safety & Regulatory Manager is responsible for ensuring that the company’s products meet all Food Safety System Standards and related Regulatory Requirements. This role involves overseeing the Food Safety system and supporting Food Safety Programs, ensuring compliance with local, national, and international regulations, and managing audits and inspections. This role will lead other food safety professionals and work closely with other departments such as Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain to maintain and enhance food safety standards.

• Know all applicable regulatory (federal and state) requirements and how to apply these in a manufacturing setting. Develop, implement, and manage food safety policies and procedures across the organization in support of these requirements. Stay updated with changes in food safety regulations and standards and communicate the implications to the relevant teams.
• Partner in the development and implementation of a comprehensive food safety system and policies to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including HACCP, FSMA, GMP standards and other programs which support the Food Safety System. These programs include but not limited to development and implementation of: Sanitation Control Programs (Sanitary Design, Pest Control Programs, PEMP Execution), Process Controls Programs, Allergen Control Programs (Sanitation controls to include validation programs), Supply-chain Control Programs (Assist Supply-chain with suppliers and vendors to ensure their practices meet the company’s food safety standards and compliance requirements).
• Assist in new line start-up support and commissioning to assure alignment with the food safety system requirements.
• Lead regular audits of facility operations, including processing, packaging, and storage, to identify potential risks and non-compliance issues. Coordinate with third-party auditors and regulatory bodies during inspections. Develop and oversee corrective action plans for any non-conformities identified during audits.
• Develop training and verify staff is trained in food safety practices, protocols, and compliance requirements. Ensure the team is knowledgeable and trained to respond efficiently and effectively. Foster a culture of Food Safety, Continuous Improvement and proactive food safety management.
• Investigate customer complaints related to food safety, including conducting root cause analyses and implementing corrective actions. Support, and where applicable, lead in crisis management efforts in response to food safety emergencies, including product recalls and outbreak investigations, to minimize impact and ensure public safety
• Support, and where applicable, lead in crisis management efforts in response to food safety emergencies, including product recalls and outbreak investigations, to minimize impact and ensure public safety
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of all food safety and regulatory activities. Prepare reports on food safety performance and regulatory compliance for senior management. Ensure all documentation meets the requirements of regulatory bodies and audit standards.

 

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, other duties may be assigned by your supervisor, as dictated by business necessity. 

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or related Biological Sciences, Food Science.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in food or nutritional product manufacturing or retail setting. Previous experience in an FDA / USDA regulated industry. Familiarity with food / nutritional product legislation. HACCP, SQF, Manufacturing Equipment Qualification, Project Management, and (FDA & USDA 21CFR & 7 CFR –or even 9 CFR) - a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing equipment, systems and tools, as well as productivity principles and practices. Strong technical knowledge of food safety principles, Risk Management, microbiological and laboratory operations. 
• Expertise within the areas of FSMA PCHF, HACCP, GMPs, regulatory compliance, and sanitation. 
• Previous experience with effective labor planning and scheduling and procedure writing. 
• Knowledge of microbiological testing and analysis is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership skills (creating effective teams, driving change, managing accountability). 
• Strong problem solving, communication and problem-solving skills. 
• Good attention to detail and ability to prepare and give written and oral instructions. Proficient skill in using Microsoft Office software (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Establish strong relationships all at levels of the organization and understand the overall business operation and the impact of decisions, performance and behavior.
• Effectively listen, offer solutions, resolve concerns/issues, and work in a