Food Safety Specialist

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
# 155354 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health.

If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team!
 

Job Summary

The Food Safety Specialist is responsible for developing and supporting the implementation and execution of the Corporate Food Safety Programs in compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations and other pertinent local regulations across Hill’s Manufacturing Plants. Food Safety programs include, but are not limited to: Preventive Controls, HACCP, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and other associated prerequisite programs such as foreign material control, pest control, cleaning and sanitization, chemical control, and corrective and preventive actions. Also, this position collaborates with subject matter experts in the development and execution of policies, standards and procedures.  Additionally, this position will provide comprehensive food safety support, training and guidance to site food safety teams.

 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

 

Develop and lead implementation of prerequisite programs in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Programs include, but are not limited to, GMPs HACCP, glass and brittle plastics, foreign material, pest control, cleaning & sanitization and chemical control

Support site food safety teams in the development and execution of their plans & programs. Work in coordination and alignment with other subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure consistency and adherence to the Food Safety Programs

Develop training programs and train plant personnel on food safety and prerequisite programs. Work in partnership with Corporate Food Safety Team to develop Food Safety Training modules

Lead audits for Hill’s suppliers, co-manufacturers and Hill’s manufacturing facilities specific to food safety

Manage the Hill’s Ingredient Hazard Analysis Database and provide support for site team process hazard analysis

Participate in monitoring emerging regulatory positions on Food Safety. Work with Quality team members to evaluate and interpret emerging regulations and support development of company position and practices for compliance

In collaboration with Operations and Site Quality teams, participate in investigations and report on consumer complaints in relation to food safety

Benchmark with external companies on leading Food Safety and Quality Programs

Participate in Industry Forums to keep current on trends and issues relevant to the organization

 

Education/ Experience Requirements

Basic qualifications include:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry or related technical field

• At least 2 years of experience in a manufacturing / plant operations environment

• HACCP Certified and/or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification 

• Auditing / audit skills experience in quality or food safety management systems, including internal / external auditing for compliance

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with regulatory compliance of products regulated under FDA 21 CFR 507, 21 CFR 117 or other relevant compliance experience with manufacturing of food products

• Knowledge of food safety risk, identification and management, HACCP and prerequisite programs

• Experience in GFSI-based food safety management systems in a food manufacturing environment, including internal / external auditing for compliance

 

Preferred qualifications include: