Food Safety and Compliance Manager
Chicago, IL
Full Time
Operations
Manager/Supervisor
Food Safety and Compliance Manager
Farmer’s Fridge makes fruits and vegetables accessible and approachable for everyone. We offer a variety of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks through our fresh food vending machines, wholesale partners, and our office pantry solution — providing chef-curated meals to customers within seconds. Today, we operate a network of Fridges and partner with clients nationwide in high-foot-traffic areas, such as airports, hospitals, universities, and large office buildings — where there is limited accessibility to fresh, healthy, grab-n-go options.
We care deeply about what we’re creating and aspire to make sure our customers feel that through every touchpoint. This shows up in many ways across the business. We are committed to prioritizing food safety, we are passionate about product quality, we value our employees, we champion the best idea no matter where it comes from, and we’re committed to making an overall positive impact as we scale.Farmer’s Fridge makes fruits and vegetables accessible and approachable for everyone. We offer a variety of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks through our fresh food vending machines, wholesale partners, and our office pantry solution — providing chef-curated meals to customers within seconds. Today, we operate a network of Fridges and partner with clients nationwide in high-foot-traffic areas, such as airports, hospitals, universities, and large office buildings — where there is limited accessibility to fresh, healthy, grab-n-go options.
About this Role
This position is responsible for building and managing critical aspects of our food safety and regulatory compliance program. This includes conducting and supporting internal, external audits and regulatory inspections, as well as working across all teams within our operations department including production, distribution, sourcing, and menu development to help launch new products and open new markets and channels.
What You’ll Do
Menu Innovation and Sourcing Optimization QFS Support
- Review ingredient requests for consideration as part of new menu item research and development.
- Document ingredient risk assessments and conduct food safety audits of high risk ingredient suppliers as necessary.
- Maintain up to date and compliant documentation for all current ingredients and suppliers.
- Conduct COA risk assessment and review incoming ingredient COAs.
- Support scale up activities and new product launches.
- Keep HACCP Plan updated to reflect the current menu and conduct annual full HACCP Plan validation.
Cold Chain QFS Approvals and Program Management
- Ensure all incoming materials meet specifications and comply with applicable food safety regulations.
- Document corrections and corrective action plans for non-conforming material related incidents.
- Implement procedures to ensure food safety is maintained during transport of food to and from Fridges.
- Approve new warehouses and third party carriers to ensure they meet the QFS requirements.
Remote Warehouse QFS Support
- Implementing and verifying the effectiveness of food safety SOPs at other facilities as we continue to grow.
- Run rules, sanitation checklist, thermometer calibration, GWP audit, BOLs, audit long haul unload and load out.
- Support Food Safety related training to the distro team as needed.
- Conduct internal audits for remote warehouses.
Company Liaison for Regulatory Inspection
- Serve as company liaison for regulatory inspections at all owned FF locations.
- Conduct necessary regulatory training to all stakeholders within the company.
- Lead preparation and execution of annual third party audit and any other scheduled audits.
- Lead unannounced regulatory visits.
- Work with outside industry consultants to conduct compliance/performance assessments.
Backup to Plant QFS Manager and SQF Practitioner
- Cover for the Plant QFS Manager in their absence.
- Backup SQF practitioner for FF owned sites including Cicero manufacturing facility.
Who You Are
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
- Knowledgeable in local, state, and federal food regulations including USDA and FSMA.
- Experienced in interacting with state and local regulators including the Department of Health.
- Familiar with GSuite including Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- Able to function independently and be able to operate in ambiguous situations as the organization continues to evolve.
- Able to make tough decisions and effectively communicate the “why” to key stakeholders.
- Positive and openly collaborative and able to build relationships with internal and external teams.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to analyze data for trends and translate into actionable business recommendations.
- Willing to work in refrigerator coolers and an office environment.
The base salary range for this role is $90,000-$105,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements.
In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for company performance-based bonuses and equity.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)
- 401(k) with immediate employer match vesting
- Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
- Paid sabbatical after 5 years of service
- Employee discounts
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:
In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we’ve done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback.
Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.
Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after five years of service.
Farmer’s Fridge Diversity Statement:
"Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer’s Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.”
Farmer’s Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures
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