Food Safety Specialist

Food Safety Specialist Central Coast-based operations (relocation support available) $26–$31/hour + full-time benefits A leading, vertically integrated produce company is seeking a Food Safety Specialist to support and execute food safety programs across multiple growing regions. This role partners closely with the Food Safety Manager and plays a key part in ensuring compliance, training, and continuous improvement across both field and facility operations. This is a highly visible, hands-on role with exposure to ranch operations, harvest crews, and processing environments throughout California and Arizona. This role is primarily focused within a refrigerated facility/cooler environment (≈70% facility / 30% field), supporting value-added production with strong exposure to food safety programs, audits, and training. Bilingual in Spanish/English required. Consistent Monday–Friday schedule supporting work-life balance within a culture built on respect, teamwork, and employee engagement What You'll DoProgram Execution & Compliance Support and implement company-wide food safety and food defense programs Ensure compliance with FSMA, GMP, HACCP, GAP, LGMA, and regulatory standards Conduct routine GMP inspections (weekly/monthly) across facilities Perform risk assessments for ranches and harvest crews Training & Auditing Deliver food safety training sessions for field and facility teams Lead and support internal audits and coordinate third-party GMP/GAP audits Prepare growers and facilities for food safety and organic inspections Monitoring & Continuous Improvement Conduct mock recalls and support traceability processes Investigate food safety incidents and customer complaints Assist in troubleshooting issues and implementing corrective actions Testing & Equipment Oversight Coordinate environmental sampling (harvest equipment, cold storage, processing areas) Maintain chain-of-custody documentation and communicate results Verify calibration and performance of food safety equipment (thermometers, pH meters, ATP systems, etc.)Evaluate new testing technologies as needed What You Bring2–3+ years of experience in food safety, QA, or regulatory compliance (produce or food manufacturing preferred) Degree or background in food science, biology, or related fieldPCQI certification required; PSR preferred Strong knowledge of GMP, GAP, HACCP, LGMA, and FDA/USDA standards Experience with audits, inspections, and recall/traceability processes is a plus Solid communication, documentation, and organizational skills Comfortable working independently in both field and facility environments Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) Bilingual English/Spanish required