Senior Food Safety Specialist with Japanese Language Proficiency

Overview

Senior Food Safety Specialist with Japanese Language Proficiency

Job Title:

Senior Food Safety Specialist

Industry: Japanese Food and Beverage Distributor

Reports to:

QA Manager

Work Hours:

Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM with a 1 hour lunch break

• Provides documents to customers when requested: spec sheet, raw material specifications (Origin, quality, standards of ingredients used in production), audit certificates (Audit Checklist, Certificate of Analysis lab tests), letter of guarantee, etc.
• Develops and maintains Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety plans, and prerequisite programs such as Sanitation, Good Manufacturing/Distribution Practice (GMP) for food storage and distribution, Food Defense, Recall, Allergen and Supplier Verification (Vendor's Program)
• Verifies imported products labeling and ingredients; ensures compliance with US regulations.
• Investigates non-conformities to identify root causes and implements corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensures all required documents are ready as scheduled for audits, HACCP verifications, and equipment calibrations.
• Analyzes product quality and food safety issues to identify solutions.
• Investigates customer complaints about quality discrepancies and takes corrective actions; responds to customers in a timely manner.
• Conducts monthly internal audits to discover quality discrepancies; collaborates with warehouse management to implement corrective actions.
• Researches import regulations and required documents for products under USDA/APHIS/FSIS jurisdiction.
• Assists in facility food safety internal audits and manages third-party audits.
• Audits and approves selected co-packers, suppliers, and storage facilities in collaboration with management; conducts monthly internal audits and works with warehouse management to implement corrective actions.
• Maintains documentation for audits, equipment calibration, and HACCP verification records.
• Implements, maintains, and improves quality systems (e.g., HACCP, FSMA GFSI, Pest, Sanitation).
• Develops, maintains, and revises Quality and Food Safety SOPs.
• Oversees facility pest control programs (in-house and contracted).
• Receives and coordinates with inspectors from governmental agencies for onsite inspections.
• Travels frequently to support other branches in addressing safety-related issues.
• Attends company events outside of normal working hours and participates in semiannual inventory counts when designated, possibly on a weekend.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Able to sit in an office for most of the day and to travel by car or airplane as needed.
• Able to type and use a computer for extended periods; able to stand, walk, reach, bend, kneel, and lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

• Business level English required; business level Japanese preferred.
• Ability to verify product labels in Japanese preferred.
• Noise level: normal to loud; indoors as applicable.

• Bachelor's Degree required;
  Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or relevant studies strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of food safety or related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors preferred.
• Business level English;
  Japanese proficiency preferred for communication and labeling tasks.
• Maintains a positive attitude; able to work independently and as part of a team; adaptable to frequent changes in assignments and workload.

• Knowledge of food safety procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Basic mathematical knowledge (markups, discounts, inventory counting, weight/measurement conversions, aggregating data).
• Strong communication, interpersonal, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors preferred.

Compensation: $27.20 - $38.00/hour, depending on experience and qualifications. Plus benefits including health, vision, dental, and 401(k) with company matching.