Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Company Overview:

At Fresha, we know you want to feed your family the best food available. To do that, you need access to fresh, local produce. The problem is most carrots are shipped from farms thousands of miles away. This leaves you feeling uncertain about the quality of your produce.  We believe you should have access to locally grown carrots, so you feel confident in your food choices. As farmers ourselves, we get it. Since 2019 we’ve been supplying local grocery stores with fresh carrots from our family farms in Minnesota and Georgia. Due to our cool nights, long summer days, and rich soil, we have the ideal growing conditions for sweeter, better-tasting carrots.

Learn more about Fresha

Position Overview:

Fresha, a leading premium carrot grower based out of Morris, MN, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance to oversee all aspects of food safety and quality assurance within the company. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that Fresha's products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Develop and Implement Food Safety Programs: Design and implement comprehensive food safety programs to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
2. Quality Control: Establish and maintain rigorous quality control measures throughout the production process, from planting to distribution.
3. Risk Assessment: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards and develop strategies to mitigate risks.
4. Audits and Inspections: Coordinate and oversee internal and external audits and inspections to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and customer requirements.
5. Training and Education: Provide training and education to employees on food safety practices, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
6. Supplier Management: Collaborate with suppliers to ensure the quality and safety of raw materials and ingredients used in Fresha's products.
7. Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve food safety and quality assurance processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
8. Crisis Management: Develop and implement crisis management plans to address food safety incidents or quality issues promptly and effectively.
9. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and detailed records of food safety and quality assurance activities, including incident reports, corrective actions, and compliance documentation.
10. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including production, operations, and sales, to integrate food safety and quality assurance into all aspects of the business.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, food safety, or a related field.
2. Minimum of 5 years of experience in food safety and quality assurance management, preferably in the fresh produce industry.
3. Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and industry standards, such as HACCP, FSMA, GFSI, and SQF.
4. Experience in developing and implementing food safety programs and quality control systems.
5. Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively train and motivate teams.
6. Proven track record of managing audits and inspections and addressing compliance issues.
7. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
8. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively manage multiple priorities.
9. Certification in food safety (e.g., PCQI, HACCP, SQF Practitioner) is highly desirable.
10. Experience working with agricultural suppliers and understanding of agricultural practices is a plus.

Benefits:

1. Competitive compensation based on experience.
2. Retirement savings plan with employer match up to 4%.
3. Paid time off and holidays.
4. Collaborative and supportive work environment.
5. Typical hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 am-5:00pm

Fresha is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.