Senior Food Safety Specialist

Job Type: Location Type: Remote: open to residents of any country

 

Who we are:

Established in 1926, Mutual Trading Co., Inc. was originally a small co-op organization for centralized purchasing of basic import foods to service the needs of the early Japanese immigrant society in Southern California. We’ve grown nearly 100 years old now, and command a premiere position among Japanese foodservice suppliers, as well as fill a key role as “Culinary Ambassador” promoting Japanese foods worldwide. Currently, we import, manufacture, and distribute over 7,000 Japanese foods, beverages, restaurant equipment and supplies.

Benefits

All paid Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees and their dependents

Life Insurance and 401k Plan with company match.

Location: El Monte, CA

Hours: M-F: 8AM – 5PM

Essential Job Functions
• Provide 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.
• Develop and maintain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety plans, and prerequisite programs such as Sanitation, Good Manufacturing/Distribution Practice (GMP)’s for food storage and distribution, Food Defense, Recall, Allergen and Supplier Verification (Vendor’s Program).
• Verify imported products’ labeling and ingredients; assure they are in compliance with US regulations.
• Prevents defect by investigating non-conformities, their root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
• Identify solutions by analyzing product quality and food safety issues.
• Investigate customer complaints about quality discrepancies and takes corrective actions; respond to customers in a timely manner.
• Conduct monthly internal audits to discover any quality discrepancies; works closely with warehouse management to adapt corrective actions in time.
• Research State and Federal regulations and required documents for products.
• Assist in facility food safety internal audits as well as manage third party audits.
• Work with the appropriate management personnel to audit and approve the selected co-packers, suppliers, and storage facilities.
• Ensure all required documentations for audits, equipment calibration, and HACCP related verification records are completed as scheduled.
• Implement, maintain, and improve all quality systems (i.e. HACCP, FSMA GFSI, Pest, Sanitation etc).
• Develop, maintain, and revise all Quality and Food Safety SOPs.
• Oversight of facility pest control programs to include in-house program and contracted program from external service providers.
• Receive and accompany with inspectors from governmental agencies (e.g., USDA, Local Health Department) for onsite inspection.
• Travel to all branches to support them for food safety related issues.
• Communicate with the suppliers to request necessary documents.
• Record fish importing summary and report to NOAA.
• Apply or renew all certificates and registrations (State and Federal).
• Attend Company events and functions outside of normal working hours.
• Attend semiannual inventory count on designated day, possibly on a weekend.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Obligation to answer to all management as requested.

Physical Requirements
• Able to sit in an office for extended period of time.
• Able to travel by car and by airplane.
• Able to type and use a computer for extended period of time.
• Able to stand, walk, talk, hear, smell, climb, balance, reach, bend, kneel, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Working Conditions

o Noise Level: Normal to loud

o Indoors

Other Requirements
• Business level English required.
• Business level Japanese preferred.
• Ability to verify product labels in Japanese preferred.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Able to work independently and efficiently as a team.
• Able to adapt to frequent changes in assignments and workload.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or a related field is strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of food safety or other relevant experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills
• Knowledge of food safety procedures.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Possess basic mathematical knowledge such as markups, discounts, counting inventory, weight and measurement conversions, combining, etc.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors preferred.

Disclaimers

This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related duties as instructed or requested by the department manager or other management as needed, subject to reasonable accommodation and business needs. The information contained herein is subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, and no part of this document is to be construed as an express or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter the “at-will” employment status with the Company. Requirements are subject to accommodations with ADA, FEHA, and all other applicable federal and state laws. Please report any changes of essential job functions to the Human Resources Department.

Mutual Trading Co., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.