Food Safety & QA Manager

Who are we?

UNFI is the leading distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods in North America! We transform the world of food for our customers, suppliers, associates, and the families we serve everyday! Our mission is simple: to provide healthier food choices to people everywhere.

Better Food, Better Future! If YOU are a Food Safety and/or Quality Assurance professional who is passionate about food safety, people, and "doing it right", this opportunity at UNFI Canada may be right for you. Read on!

Position: Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

Job Type: Full Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday

Language Requirements: English

Working Conditions: On-Site 5 days per week

Location: Vaughan, Ontario or Richmond, British Columbia

Expected Salary: $90,200 - 95,000 per year

Purpose:

The most important value at UNFI is “Do the Right Thing – Put Safety and Integrity at the Forefront of Everything We Do.” The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager position will aid the organization to deliver on this critical value – day in and day out. The role is fast-paced and complex and has responsibility for helping maintain a world class food safety culture in which UNFI associates are proactive and interdependent when it comes to food safety. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, and pest control programs within the jumbo sized location (high volume Distribution Center). Interacts with Distribution Center (DC) leadership teams to ensure policies, procedures, audits, and training programs are understood and followed. This includes comprehensive support of any and all regulatory certifications.

Job Responsibilities:

• Coordinates food safety, sanitation, and pest control compliance efforts as required.
• Ensures regulatory standards are met by third party sanitation and pest elimination providers by conducting occasional joint surveys/visits.
• Conducts food safety assessments at internal DC location and 3rd party locations if needed.
• Ensures compliance with 3rd party certifications.
• Review findings with DC leadership and develops detailed corrective action plans with leadership support to improve food safety culture.
• Be and stay current with all regulatory agencies to ensure compliance regarding local DC Operations as well as adhere to SQF standards.
• Uses available metrics and reporting systems to track and measure food safety performance, identifying exceptions to outstanding performance and influencing leadership to resolve specific and cultural opportunities.
• Manages SQF, GDP, and food safety programs, including document review of records, associate training, and oversight of corrective actions.
• Directs activities in maintaining and executing effective food safety, food defense, and recall plans, policies, and processes in Distribution Center operations.
• Provides food safety training and support to operations and internal/external partners.
• Collaborates with operations partners to ensure compliance during facility changes and/or new site developments.
• Investigates product quality and compliance issues (i.e. tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.)
• Maintains active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodies.
• Consistently drive and execute innovation for food safety messaging, development of food safety culture, and nurture the belief that food safety is and should always be everyone’s top priority.
• Performs other relevant job duties as required.
  
  

Job Requirements:

Education/Certification(s):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science or a related field required.
• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, and/or SQF Practitioner certifications highly desired.
• First Aid/CPR/AED and JH&SC certified highly desired.
  
  

Experience:

• 5+ years experience in related food fields.
• Experience with interpreting federal and provincial regulations, and maintaining working relationships with industry and regulatory officials (i.e. CFIA).
• Experience actively working with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to strategically solve problems, manage projects, drive performance while maintaining long-term strategies.
• Experience in training large groups considered an asset.
  
  

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with Safe Food for Canadians Act and HACCP requirements.
• Familiarity with GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) schemes.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  
  

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent ability to develop and present business plans and strategies to influence company decision makers.
• Ability to coordinate planning and collaboration with other business functions in a way that is mutually beneficial and drives continuous improvement.
• Ability to analyze and independently resolve a variety of difficult situations and problems using timely decision making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact and influence effectively with all levels of management, employees, and customers.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and ensure significant issues are communicated clearly to relevant stakeholders in timely manner.
• Strong analytical skills required for data interpretation and analysis.
• Computer skills in word-processing and spreadsheet software preferred.
• Must be able to interface effectively with a wide variety of personnel.
• Possess ability to communicate concepts, systems, procedures, etc., in a training environment
• Must possess leadership ability to inspire others to achieve desired results
• Flexible and adaptable to learning and understanding new technologies
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Powerpoint, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Adapts well to and initiates change in the organization.
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Travel will be required to other DCs in Canada.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, lifting, and reaching may be required.
• May be in refrigerated food processing rooms for extended periods, may handle hazardous chemicals and manipulate or install cleaning equipment and dispensers.
• Incumbent must be able to move throughout the facility including second story offices and backrooms.
• Some work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.
  
  

Why work at UNFI Canada?

• Base salary offered!
• Annual bonus eligibility
• Health & Dental Benefits offered on Day 1!
• Paid vacation and sick days!
• Retirement Savings Plan with Employer-matching contributions!
• Employee discount on organic and natural foods!
• Company events!
• Friendly and helpful team!
• And last, but not least, the opportunity to be part of an organization that does meaningful work. Join UNFI in its mission to provide healthier food choices to consumers everywhere!
  
  

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.