AM Food Safety Specialist

Chicago, IL

Founded in 1991, Testa Produce, Inc. is the successor entity to the original Dominick Testa and Sons. The members of the Testa Family own Testa Produce, Inc. with the controlling interest currently held by Peter Testa. Testa Produce's roots date back to 1912, with founder Dominick Testa selling stalks of celery door-to-door out of a basket. The creation of the Chicago Terminal Produce Market provided a central selling location for years. As the restaurant industry evolved, so did Testa Produce. In 2011, Testa expanded yet again and moved into its new home: a 91,300-square-foot facility to accommodate an ever-growing list of restaurant, hotel, and food service customers.
Essential Functions:

  • Assist in collecting current spec sheets from vendors annually
  • Upload updated spec sheets to Teams Folder & Produce Pro Software
  • Overseeing, maintaining, revising, ensuring compliance, and initiating continuous improvement for all policies, procedures, and programs relating to corporate food safety. This includes, but not limited to             
    • Regulatory compliance
    • HACCP Plan and prerequisite programs
    • Food Defense
    • Pest Control
    • Crisis Management
    • Allergen Control
    • Recall and Traceability
    • Supplier Certification (includes raw/finished product and packaging)
    • Training – general Food Safety and job specific Food Safety training
    • Personal Hygiene and compliance to corporate Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
  • Ensure Operations, Repack, and Processing personnel adhere to all published food safety requirements regarding Receiving, Storage and Shipping activities.
  • Ensure Product Master is updated if allergens are applicable
  • Collect departmental documents for GFSI Audit Standards
  • Collect Certificates of Analysis from vendors for applicable items
  • Assist in processing customer complaints related to food safety and ensuring proper inspection of returned products.
  • Assist various departments in resolving quality issues with incoming/outgoing products. 
  • Assist with internal and 3rd party inspections and audits
  • Upload documentation into the Trace Gains Network

Other Functions:

  • Enter Produce Orders in Produce Pro Software.
  • Check and enter pricing
  • Create spreadsheets for various projects
  • Assist with tagging products for customers and entering comments in Produce Pro Software.
  • Update Product Master upon requests
  • Perform work outside of normal business hours as needed and required
  • Maintain regular and satisfactory full-time attendance
  •  Perform special projects as assigned by the Food Safety Manager – Testa Produce, LLC.

Competencies:

  • Ability to work with others in a team environment and independently
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Problem solver with robust analytical skills

Education & Experience:

  •  1-3 years of Food Science and/or Food Safety experience performing all the above functions
  •  PCQI certification preferred, but not required
  •  Proficient PC skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and common e-mail systems.
  •  Preference for candidates with experience in food safety, food science, food service, or food delivery

Physical Demands:

  • Occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
  • Stand or sit for long periods of time
  • Work in cold and wet cooler conditions for extended periods of time 

Benefits:

  • Health & Welfare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Voluntary Life)
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holidays
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Weekly Paid
  • Career Advancement Opportunities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or another legally protected status.