Compliance Manager

Overview

As the Compliance Manager, lead and oversee a dual-mandate compliance and safety program that protects both food integrity and technical infrastructure of four fruit packing facilities. The role ensures continuous alignment with SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification requirements while also coordinating PSM (Process Safety Management) and RMP (Risk Management Program) activities to safeguard high-hazard systems and facility operations. This position also integrates broader food safety, process safety, facility safety, and employee safety initiatives into a unified compliance framework.

Responsibilities:

SQF, HACCP, and Food Safety Programs

• SQF System Management — Lead the development, implementation, verification, and annual review of the SQF Food Safety System for fruit packing operations, serving as the designated SQF Practitioner.
• HACCP & Food Safety Plans — Maintain and validate HACCP plans, environmental monitoring programs, and sanitation SOPs tailored to fruit packing and storage.
• Audit Leadership — Coordinate and lead all third‑party SQF audits and regulatory inspections, ensuring the facility maintains “Good Standing” certification status.
• Internal Auditing — Conduct routine internal audits of SQF protocols to identify gaps and ensure readiness for external inspections.
• Corrective Action (CAPA) — Investigate and resolve non‑conformances identified during audits or near‑miss events, ensuring timely and effective corrective actions.
• Compliance Training — Design and deliver required training on GMPs, food defense, sanitation, and other food safety topics.
• Document Control — Maintain an audit‑ready, centralized database of SOPs, training records, and SDS documentation.
• Continuous Improvement — Analyze audit trends and compliance metrics to recommend system improvements that strengthen food safety and operational reliability.

PSM/RMP and Ammonia Refrigeration Safety

• PSM Element Coordination — Ensure full compliance with all 14 elements of OSHA’s PSM standard across four anhydrous ammonia refrigeration facilities.
• Multi‑Facility PSM Oversight — Manage PSM and RMP documentation for four Controlled Atmosphere (CA) facilities using anhydrous ammonia.
• Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) — Facilitate or participate in PHAs at least every five years (or as needed), ensuring identified risks are mitigated and tracked to closure.
• Management of Change (MOC) — Oversee the MOC process for food safety equipment changes and ammonia refrigeration system modifications.
• Mechanical Integrity Tracking — Partner with maintenance teams to ensure pressure vessels, piping, relief valves, and related equipment meet IIAR and OSHA inspection requirements.
• RMP Submission & Resubmission — Manage timely EPA RMP eSubmit filings for all four facilities every five years or following significant process changes.
• Offsite Consequence Analysis (OCA) — Maintain and update hazard assessments, including worst‑case and alternative release scenarios, to evaluate community impact.
• Five‑Year Accident History — Maintain detailed accident histories for each ammonia system and ensure all reportable releases undergo root‑cause analysis.
• Internal PSM Auditing — Conduct regular internal audits of PSM/RMP documentation to ensure regulatory readiness.

Emergency Response, Regulatory Coordination, and Public Safety

• Emergency Response Coordination — Serve as the primary liaison with Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), fire departments, and emergency responders to align facility plans with community capabilities.
• Public Information Compliance — Manage public access to required safety information under EPA community right‑to‑know rules while protecting sensitive security information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–7 years of experience in food safety, PSM/RMP, EHS, or compliance roles within food manufacturing, cold storage, or industrial refrigeration.
• Formal training or certification in SQF, HACCP, or PCQI.
• Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119, EPA RMP, IIAR standards, and food safety regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and audit‑readiness skills.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and communicate effectively with regulators, emergency responders, and internal stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience with anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems in CA or cold‑storage environments.
• Prior SQF Practitioner designation.
• Experience conducting PHAs, MOCs, or mechanical integrity programs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Competencies

• Regulatory Expertise — Deep understanding of food safety and process safety regulations.
• Systems Thinking — Ability to integrate food safety, PSM, and facility safety into a cohesive compliance framework.
• Leadership & Influence — Guides teams through audits, training, and corrective actions.
• Risk Management — Identifies hazards, evaluates risk, and implements effective controls.
• Communication — Clear, concise, and confident communication with regulators and internal teams.
• Continuous Improvement — Uses data and audit trends to drive system enhancements.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in cold‑storage and fruit‑packing environments as needed.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to travel between four local facilities.
• Availability for emergency response coordination outside normal hours when required.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person