Field Food Safety Technologist

Title: Field Food Safety Technologist

Salary Range: $73K - $100K

Status: Non-Exempt

Days/

Shifts:

Monday - Saturday

Location: Salinas, CA

Reports to: Food Safety Manager

Responsible for ensuring comprehensive understanding and execution of field food safety programs and processes. This role involves analyzing and interpreting assessment data, communicating requirements to growers, auditors, and harvest crews, and engaging suppliers' food safety teams to achieve compliance and continuous improvement.

• Analyze and interpret food safety assessments; translate findings for growers, auditors, and stakeholders.
• Communicate food safety standards to harvest crews and grower representatives; ensure clarity and buy-in.
• Manage time and overtime independently; resolve field food safety disputes.
• Make informed decisions and judgment calls for out‑of‑range scenarios; elevate issues outside SOPs (e.g., harmful insects).
• Ensure daily execution of food safety practices by all stakeholders, bridging gaps in understanding.
• Conduct training, process verification, validation, and corrective actions.
• Implement adjustments as needed; operate with integrity and impartiality.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Quality teams where required.
• Participate in projects and subprojects, including implementation work.
• Perform Harvest Machine Sanitation TPC evaluations and in‑process Listeria testing.
• Prepare Grower Ranch Risk Assessment summaries.

• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to solve practical problems and handle a variety of concrete variables in situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret instructions presented in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to organize time, schedule, and work on simultaneous projects.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills with suppliers.
• Proficiency in calculating proportions, percentages, and volume; statistical analysis preferred.
• Familiarity with cross‑functional food safety and quality processes.
• Strong knowledge of field food safety programs and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and adapt to changing conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

The position requires travel and weekend work.

• 40‑hour workweek and weekends as needed.
• Follows the Harvest Season: 7 months in CA, and 5 months in Arizona.
• Travel may be required to visit outside suppliers as needed.

• High School Diploma and 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in dispute resolution and corrective action processes.
• Proficiency in risk assessment and sanitation evaluation.
• Valid, clean driver's license.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) demonstrating a clean driving record.
• Upon hire, must enroll in the DMV's Employer Pull Notice.
• LGMA, PCQI, or other related food safety training and/or certificates are preferred.

EEO STATEMENT:
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.