Health and Safety Specialist

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This includes conducting audits, inspections, employee training, and implementing HACCP. This role also leads efforts to ensure our distribution centers meet federal and provincial health and safety laws, involving the development and maintenance of safety programs and addressing risks.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for execution and efficacy of food safety regulatory compliance programs at the DC (e.g., Food Safety Plan, US Seafood HACCP, Canada Romaine Import Requirement, Canada Complaint monitoring, etc.), including verification audits and paperwork reviews.
• Ensures understanding, training, and compliance within the distribution center on key food safety and quality topics, such as: HACCP Food Safety, Allergen Management, Cross-Contamination, Audit Requirements (DC Self Audits, 3rd Party Audits, Customer Audits, Regulatory Audits, etc.), Recall Execution, Pest Control, Product Complaint Handling, Sanitation, Security Planning, Emergency Response, and Cold Chain Management. Serves as the distribution center’s on-site expert resource for these topics.
• Leads the division in collaborating with the National Food Safety and Quality Assurance team for the development and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems where appropriate.
• Supports internal audits, development of corrective action plans, and ensures compliance with stakeholders.
• Acts as regulatory, customer, and 3rd party audit host, including development of corrective action plans when applicable.
• Responsible for the management of all day-to-day health, safety, and environmental related functions.
• Ensures compliance with all federal and provincial HSE requirements.
• Maintains currency on HSE legislation changes.
• Monitors effectiveness of training by auditing employee knowledge, observing employee behavior, and tracking incidents.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in quality assurance, quality control, and/or food safety is required.
• Certification in Occupational Health & Safety is a definite advantage.
• Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) experience or other relevant Food Safety Certification preferred.
• Knowledge of Inventory Control Management Systems (WMS/Genisys preferred).
• Knowledge of provincial HSE regulatory agencies programs, procedures, and requirements with the ability to understand and apply regulations to GFS operations.
• Practical accident and injury investigation techniques, root analysis, and procedures.
• Knowledge of current trends and developments in the field and industry.
• Ability to develop solutions to complex problems that require the regular use of ingenuity and innovation, ensuring solutions are consistent with organization objectives.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for the next stage will be contacted. Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, embracing the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to any enumerated or analogous grounds of discrimination. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to [email protected] and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.