Field Food Safety Technologist: Grower Compliance & Training

Field Food Safety Technologist (Salinas, CA - Work St.)

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; escalate issues outside SOPs (e.g., harmful insects).
• Ensure daily execution of food safety practices by all stakeholders, bridge 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 sub‑projects, 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 deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists is required.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to organize time, schedule, and work on simultaneous projects.
• Literate is English. Bi‑literate in English and Spanish preferred.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills with suppliers.
• Ability to calculate 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.

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 supplies as needed

• H.S Diploma and 3 years of relevant experience
• Experience in dispute resolution and corrective action processes.
• Proficiency in risk assessment and sanitation evaluation.
• Provide valid, clean driver's license
• Provide Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) showing proof of 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 on the basis of disability.