Retail Food Safety & Quality Assurance Partner

Retail Food Safety & Quality Assurance Partner

Purpose:

The most important value at UNFI is “Do the Right Thing – Put Safety and Integrity at the Forefront of Everything We Do.” The FSQA Partner – Retail position will aid the organization deliver on this critical value – day in and day out. The role is fast‑paced and complex and has a 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 integrating food safety, pest control, and sanitation programs across our retail stores to promote end‑to‑end confidence in food safety for our customers. Interacts with operations to ensure policies, procedures, audits, and training programs are understood and followed. This includes comprehensive support of any and all regulatory certifications.

• Coordinates food safety, sanitation and pest control compliance efforts by conducting food safety assessments at internal retail locations and franchise locations.
• Conducts frequent and unscheduled food safety visits to stores with emphasis on those locations with below‑average third‑party food safety survey results, evidence of pest problems, customer complaints, regulatory action, and history of non‑compliance or referral by other company associates or management. Reviews visit findings with key store personnel and provides assistance to correct deficient conditions, communicating findings to Banner management for follow‑up and support, as needed.
• Teaches and proctors the Certified Food Protection Manager certification course ensuring retail locations maintain compliance according to state and/or local health department regulations.
• Monitors and assists stores to comply with local, state and federal food safety and health standards, including personal hygiene and hand washing, temperature control of potentially hazardous foods, cross‑contamination control, pest control and chemical use training.
• Monitors third‑party sanitation and pest control providers in their day‑to‑day services to store, implements plans to address noted deficiencies to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable health regulations. Ensures regulatory standards are met by third‑party sanitation and pest elimination providers by conducting occasional joint surveys/visits.
• Reviews findings with retail leadership and ensures corrective action plans are detailed and completed with leadership support to improve food safety culture; analyzes third‑party food safety audit results and provides needed follow‑up.
• Maintains and stays current with all state, federal and local regulatory agencies to ensure compliance regarding local retail operations as well as adherence with the Food Code.
• 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.
• Supports management of the GRP, 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 retail operations; develops and delivers food safety trainings to associates as required by local, state regulations and/or company policy.
• Collaborates with retail operations partners to ensure compliance during facility changes and/or new site developments, participating in banner meetings with stakeholders.
• Assists and follows up on associate hotline calls and customer complaints as needed.
• Investigates product quality and compliance issues (i.e., tampering, adulteration, mislabeling, etc.).
• Maintains active working relationships with all appropriate industry and regulatory bodies.
• Performs other relevant job duties as required.

• Associate degree in Biology, Food Science, Public Health, Environmental Science or related field required.
• HACCP, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual certifications highly desired.

• 3+ years’ experience in…