COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST - CASTROVILLE, CA

The Compliance Specialist is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the implementation of the company’s internal food safety program in Castroville, Coachella, Yuma, and Oxnard. This role involves conducting audits and promoting regulatory compliance. Seasonal relocation to our remote facilities and surrounding areas is required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Enhance regulatory compliance and enforce food safety policies for Northern and Southern operations
• Act as the local point of contact for audits and regulatory compliance efforts
• Coordinate Third Party Audits, CCOF Certifications, Risk Assessments, Environmental Sampling, and Supplier inspections
• Implement and oversee third-party auditing process and in-house inspections to include farms and facilities
• Perform routine inspections to ensure adherence to regulations and policies
• Educate customers and employees on food safety trends and changes affecting food safety and quality standards
• Provide training programs to ensure overall compliance and communicate policy changes
• Oversee the preparation of documentation submissions for regulatory compliance
• Lead adherence to current FSMA food safety standards for farm, harvest, and facility operations
• Develop facility and farm Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) according to GAP, GMP, NOP and other international standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations
• Oversee coordination of chemical/microbiological testing of crops as required by customers and/or company standards
• Guide and/or approve corrective actions as needed
• Identify and analyze compliance issues, providing effective solutions
• Effectively address and resolve customer and consumer complaints

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• 1-2 years of leadership experience in the agriculture industry, involved in audits, sampling, recalls, and harvest oversight
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to recognize and address challenges
• Certification for the Food Safety Modernization Act and other relevant programs (Produce Safety Rule, Preventive Controls Rule, Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), and the Sanitary Transport Act)
• Knowledgeable of Primus GFS Audits (GAP and GMP), Leafy Green Modernization Act, organic standards, and CCOF Organic Certification process for the NOP
• Skilled at using ATP monitoring devices
• Effectively communicate through both written and verbal means
• Apply a scientific and risk-based approach to resolving food safety issues
• Demonstrated ability to develop and train Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP’s)
• Collaborate effectively with internal management, staff, clients, and vendors
• Thrive in high-pressure situations and consistently meet diverse deadlines
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and the ability to effectively multitask. Work independently and manage projects from initiation to completion with minimal supervision
• Maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, vendors, and peers, maintaining a balanced outlook during stressful times
• Proactively communicate task and project updates to supervisor, handling business matters discreetly and ensuring confidentiality at all levels is a must
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish, with the capability to communicate, write, and translate at a proficient level, is highly preferred
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable
• Travel to Coachella, Yuma, and Oxnard growing areas is required
• Perform additional responsibilities as delegated or instructed