Overview
Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world.
We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar.
We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Come grow with us!
Scope:
The Food Safety Specialist supports the organization’s Food Safety initiatives including all the elements that ensure safe food manufacturing. This individual oversees the effective implementation of food safety plans (FSP), quality management scheme (QMS) and other prerequisite programs (PrPs) which contribute to Heartland food safety and quality programs. They assist with management of the document control program, as well as complaints. Part of this role includes assisting in the risk management of process, materials and products to ensure the scale up and all other activities are completed, documented and that knowledge transfer to operations is effective.
Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities:
- Maintains a work environment committed to sustainable safety by enforcing safety rules, setting a safe example, and coaching and communicating to associates the reasons for safe operations.
- Support Heartland Food Product Group’s Food Safety Program and ensure that the program is effectively implemented in each of our operations.
- Monitors the performance of the facilities’ HACCP system, Food Safety Plans, and Quality Manufacturing scheme – via audits and other means of verification.
- Manages the customer and consumer complaints program.
- Assists with Crisis Management and assures Business Continuity Management and training.
- Assure required food safety training plans and qualifications for all of our Quality Professionals are documented maintained.
- Provide consulting and leadership in situations where nonconformance have occurred or a potential risk has been identified related to food safety and/or quality attributes.
- Participate in projects as assigned (new product lines, continuous improvement efforts)
- Responsible for continuous education opportunities focused on FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act).
- Directly manages the document control program at Heartland – driving usage and adherence to process throughout the document lifecycle.
- Drives awareness of new and emerging threats to food safety within Heartland Food Products.
- Leads risk assessment activities for new materials and supports risk assessments for new and or existing products in the facility to ensure compliance with relevant food safety requirements.
- Supports the development and implementation of new Food Safety Plans for innovated and renovated products.
- Actively participates in validation activities including but not limited to IQ/OQ/PQ of both product and process.
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Microbiology or related field with >3 years’ experience is required; consideration will be given to equivalent experience.
- GMP and Food Manufacturing experience required with strong knowledge of low and high acid aseptic and thermal processing.
- Food Microbiology experience preferred
- HACCP, PCQI Certification
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong auditing skills
- Familiar with FSMA requirements
- Previous leadership experience
- Process improvement skills (e.g. Six Sigma)
- Proficient command of English and strong communication skills required – both verbal and written. Bilingual (English and Spanish) is a plus.
- Must work well in a team environment.
- Must have the ability to perform under pressure and communicate well with all departments
- Must have good computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word
Physical Demands:
- Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions
- Must be able to work seated using a computer and phone for long periods of time.
- Must possess visual acuity to document company records
- Continuous walking throughout plant and distribution center.
- Lifting up to 40 pounds
