Food Safety Specialist

Position Summary

The Food Safety Specialist supports the Director of Food Safety in overseeing food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance programs across an assigned division. This role is responsible for conducting food safety audits, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, providing training and guidance to store teams, managing vendor relationships, supporting regulatory interactions, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for customers, associates, and vendors.

Key Responsibilities Food Safety Audits & Compliance

• Conduct regular announced and unannounced food safety and sanitation audits within assigned stores, prioritizing locations with:
  • High or low cleaning supply usage
  • Pest activity concerns
  • Customer complaints
  • Regulatory actions
  • Historical non-compliance issues
  • Referrals from division management
• Monitor and support stores in maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal food safety regulations and company standards.
• Evaluate and reinforce safe food handling practices, including:
  • Personal hygiene
  • Time and temperature controls
  • Cross-contamination prevention
  • Pest control
  • Chemical safety and usage
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to address identified deficiencies.
• Review audit findings with store leadership and provide coaching, training, and support to remedy non-compliant conditions.
• Review third-party audit and vendor reports, ensuring appropriate store follow-up and compliance.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Coordinate with third-party pest control and chemical service providers to ensure stores receive appropriate services, training, and supplies.
• Communicate store-specific needs and performance expectations to vendors.

Regulatory Relations

• Serve as a liaison between stores and regulatory agencies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with local and state regulatory authorities.
• Participate in regulatory meetings and industry forums to represent company interests.
• Maintain open communication channels with regulatory agencies to proactively address compliance concerns and prevent violations.
• Educate regulators on company food safety programs and processes.
• Stay current on changing food safety regulations and provide guidance to division operations teams.

Program Monitoring & Reporting

• Communicate inspection findings, trends, and recommendations to the Director of Food Safety.
• Partner with district and division leadership to improve food safety performance and drive operational results.
• Review food recall notifications for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure proper recall communication, execution, and completion through established company processes.
• Assess recall effectiveness during store visits and recommend process improvements.

Incident Management

• Assist in the investigation and resolution of customer complaints and foodborne illness claims.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions as needed.

Training & Education

• Develop and deliver food safety and sanitation training programs for store and division personnel.
• Create training materials, bulletins, presentations, and communications for:
  • Staff meetings
  • Store Director meetings
  • Department Manager meetings
  • Career advancement programs
• Conduct regular food safety certification and sanitation training classes required by law.
• Partner with the Training Department to ensure completion of mandatory food safety training programs.
• Implement and administer food safety and sanitation recognition and incentive programs.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare and distribute food safety, sanitation, pest control, chemical usage, and training summary reports.
• Maintain open communication with store and division personnel regarding concerns, suggestions, and program improvements.
• Evaluate ideas and feedback and recommend appropriate actions.

Employee Relations

• Partner with Human Resources, as needed, to recommend corrective or disciplinary action related to significant food safety and sanitation violations.

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• 1–2 years of experience in food safety, sanitation, food handling, public health, or a related field preferred.
• Grocery retail experience preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain all professional certifications and licenses required by applicable laws and regulations.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of food safety principles, sanitation standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and training skills.
• Ability to influence and motivate others to achieve desired outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across all organizational levels.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts, policies, and procedures in a clear and engaging manner.

Travel Requirements

• Extensive travel throughout the assigned division.
• Up to 75% travel, depending on geographic area and business needs.

Physical & Work Environment

• Work is performed in both office and retail store environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent use of computers, telephones, keyboards, and other office equipment.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, twist, reach, and inspect store environments as needed.
• Fast-paced work environment requiring flexibility and responsiveness.
• Evening and weekend work may be required based on business needs.