Overview

Direct and oversee the corporate Food Safety programs at Sprouts stores, distribution centers and with vendors, including private label vendors, such as the inspection/audit program to ensure compliance of products and processes to company and regulatory requirements. Develop, enhance, and maintain the processes, training, and standard operating procedures required to keep the Sprouts Food Safety programs amongst the best in class in the industry. The Director of Food safety must have subject matter expertise in food safety in a retail environment, including being versed in Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards for retail, while also maintaining excellent working relationships with state and local health inspectors and agencies, vendor food safety experts, and internal stakeholders. 

The position reports into our Store Support Office in Phoenix, AZ. 

Essential Functions

• Oversight and management of Sprouts Food Safety Programs, including the inspection/audit program for stores, distribution centers and vendors and the corresponding Corrective Action Plan program, Preventive Controls / HACCP program, Food Code-based store and distribution center food safety programs, Sanitation Program, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and food safety complaint management process.
• Lead the implementation of new regulatory initiatives (e.g., FSMA Rule 204 Traceability plan), supply chain food safety assurance and best practices across the business regarding Food Safety systems
• Oversee supplier verification and monitoring risk management program, non-compliances, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate and respond to inquiries from Federal, State, and local agencies and serve as the key regulatory contact
• Oversee and execute Sprouts food recall processes and traceability programs
• Provide technical support and strategic advice to senior leadership and other relevant stakeholders to ensure all food safety risks are well understood.
• Set clear vision, goals, and management systems and processes for Food Safety team
• Oversee field food safety personnel and associated programs such as internal audit program
• Proactively drive continuous improvement process enhancements
• Maintain and leverage data and metrics to help drive and positively influence regulatory compliance, company standard compliance, strategy, reporting, trend analysis, and early risk identification
• Direct Employee Training of Food Safety Programs, Policies, and Procedures
• Serve as Crisis team lead on issues related to foodborne illness, product recalls, and consumer protection processes.
• Oversee food safety manager and specialists, providing guidance to ensure compliance with regulations and Sprouts policies, procedures, and requirements
• Ensure all food and sanitation procedures, practices and policies reflect current regulatory compliance and food code standards for retail stores and distribution centers while establishing systemic processes to ensure these standards are met through formal internal auditing processes
• Promote and provide guidance on food safety culture for store operators, franchisees, and suppliers
• Advise on any food safety or quality control issues that may represent enterprise risk and recommend appropriate mitigations
• Represents the Food Safety organization with industry trade association and best practice share groups

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Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Physical Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or Biological Science preferred
• Excellent knowledge of principles and applications of Food Safety programs including FSMA, FSVP, HACCP, GMP’s, GFSI, Sanitation, Allergens, Pathogens, Food Safety Plan programs and applicable certifications
• Six (6) years of experience and responsibility for food safety within a related industry
• Experience developing, improving and implementing Food Safety programs such as change control, food safety culture, traceability or root cause analysis strongly preferred
• Previous experience in retail grocery or food service strongly preferred
• Certified PCQI, Certified Food Safety Manager, Certified HACCP Manager and/or Certified ServSafe Instructor strongly preferred
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of food safety programs and trends, including Retail Food Code, FDA and USDA regulations
• Experience leading a Food Safety team strongly preferred
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook and the Internet
• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information, communicate with all levels of management and work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines
• Some travel required

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding career, Sprouts offers a comprehensive program to help support you and your family. These programs include:

• Competitive pay
• Sick time plan that you can use to support you or your immediate families health
• Vacation accrual plan
• Opportunities for career growth
• 15% discount for you and one other family member in your household on all purchases made at Sprouts
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(K) Retirement savings plan with a generous company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Contests and appreciation events throughout the year full of prizes, food and fun!

Eligibility requirements may apply for the following benefits:

• Bonus based on company and/or individual performance
• Affordable benefit coverage, including medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• Company paid short-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers
• Paid holidays

Get Paid Every Day!

Sprouts Farmers Market offers DailyPay - if you’re hired as an eligible employee, you’ll be able to transfer the money you’ve already earned at no extra cost, and get it the next business day, for free. We offer DailyPay so you don’t have to wait for payday to access the money you’ve already worked for. With DailyPay, you can see how much you’ve made every day and you can transfer your money any time before payday.

 You can learn more by visiting https://www.dailypay.com/partners/sprouts-farmers-market/.

Why Sprouts

Grow with us!

If you have a passion for inspiring people and a flair for fresh food, consider applying for a job at Sprouts! With a focus on customer service, our neighborhood grocery stores offer high-quality, farm fresh produce, natural meats, plenty of scoop-your-own bulk goods and much more in a fun, friendly, old-fashioned farmer’s market setting. Come grow your career in healthy living with a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and teams that pride themselves on empowering others along their journey.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Sprouts’ management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Sprouts will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance.

California Residents: We collect information in accordance with California law, please see here for more information.