Careers

Description:

As a key leader within the Product & Merchandising Group (PMG), the Food Safety Specialist creates a culture of food safety excellence within every level of the organization and is responsible for food safety results companywide.  This position is primarily field-based and develops, implements, and manages food safety programs, ensuring strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, industry standards, and company procedures.  With a focus on training and compliance, the Food Safety Specialist delivers expert technical leadership while upholding the highest standards of food safety for our guests.  

RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
•    Provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure food safety regulatory compliance across the organization.  Demonstrates knowledge of HACCP and Department of Health guidelines, ensuring required permits and licenses are maintained. 
•    Develops and maintains comprehensive food safety protocols and standards in line with federal, state, and local regulations.  Continuously evaluates and improves food safety programs resulting in reduced food safety violations on internal and external audits, and ensuring the highest level of food safety for our guests.  
•    Conducts regular store audits to identify and address food safety issues, while providing feedback and training for team members, department leaders, and Store Director teams.  Completes comprehensive audit recaps and supports teams with action plans as needed and/or beneficial. 
•    Maintains a strong presence as a food safety expert across all locations, fostering a culture of food safety excellence and continuous improvement.  Increases team member engagement in food safety by delivering training and providing in the moment coaching, ensuring ongoing opportunities for team members to advance their food safety knowledge. 
•    Mentors and coaches team members on food safety best practices, equipping them with the knowledge to maintain safety standards.  Modifies approach and communication style to be effective for each team member.  Shares relevant information with the Store Director team to ensure appropriate follow-up and support where necessary.
•    Leads and manages companywide food safety training programs for all team members, including proper handling and storage of food, personal hygiene, allergen identification, labeling, and sanitation practices.  Continuously evaluates and monitors food safety audit results to identify trends and areas for improvement.  Develops and implements targeted training solutions to address findings, ensuring ongoing enhancement of food safety standards and positive audit outcomes.
•    Oversees and ensures compliance with required food safety training for all leadership positions, including the Washington State Food Safety Manager Certification and Training.    
•    Partners with key members of the PMG team to ensure accurate product labeling and recipe management across all locations and departments.  Shares relevant information from in-store audits to increase recipe accuracy and labeling compliance.  Responsible for approving food safety and labeling content within department standard operating procedures. 
•    Acts as the subject matter expert for the PMG team on product labeling and safe production standards.  Assists with shelf-life assessment and conducts organoleptic testing to ensure product quality and compliance.  
•    Ensures compliance with Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) licensing and Certificates of Insurance (COI) requirements.  Verifies that vendors and suppliers maintain up-to-date and adequate insurance coverage in accordance with company policies and food safety regulations.
•    Responsible for product recalls companywide; ensures all recalls are completed in compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.  Provides store teams with information and guidance to ensure accurate and effective guest communication.  Closely monitors performance, metrics, measures results, and ensures success. 
•    Ensures companywide maintenance and sanitation programs are in compliance with food safety requirements.  Collaborates with Operations, Store Director teams, and department leaders to mitigate risks related to sanitation, supplier control, equipment maintenance, chemical management, and pest management.
•    Manages digital food safety platform, overseeing food safety-related content and ensuring each store location consistently meets their target food safety, and Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) audit completion.  Assigns action plans as needed and/or beneficial. 
•    Conducts investigations and responds to food safety incidents, including guest complaints and illness reports.  Coordinates with all relevant stakeholders to manage risks effectively and ensures comprehensive resolution and mitigation strategies are implemented. 
•    Analyzes food safety data, audit results, and trends, recommending improvements or new procedures to address concerns.
•    Stays informed on emerging trends, regulations, and issues affecting food safety in the industry.  Advises company leadership on any necessary changes or updates. 

Skills/Eligibility:

To successfully perform the requirements of this position, an individual must consistently execute each essential function at a satisfactory level.  The requirements listed in the following text are representative of the knowledge, experience, and skill levels required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•    Minimum three years of experience working in operational food safety. 
•    Proven experience managing food safety compliance in a multi-site environment involving highly perishable foods.
•    Possesses strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP/Department of Health guidelines.
•    Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM), and/or Food Safety Professional (CP-FS) certification preferred. 
•    Proven experience developing, delivering, and evaluating food safety training programs.
•    Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from company leadership, guests, and the general public.
•    Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and standard operating procedures. 
•    Demonstrates appropriate professional judgment.  Effectively assesses situations, information, and available resources, taking timely appropriate action.
•    Strong time management and organizational skills.
•    Works collaboratively while building trust-based relationships with team members.
•    Comfortable with ambiguity and rapidly changing environments.
•    Possesses insatiable curiosity; uses creativity to overcome unexpected challenges.
•    Ability to remain flexible; embraces change as an opportunity for growth.
•    Demonstrates a high level of self-motivation; takes initiative; problem solves.
•    Experience using MS Office Suite.