Job Description

JOB SUMMARY 

The Food Safety Manager  is to lead, elevate, and future-proof our food safety and workplace safety programs. This role is critical to ensuring full compliance with FDA regulations, SQF standards, and all applicable local, state, and federal requirements—while building a proactive culture of food safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

We are looking for a leader who is ready to take Mama Lola’s to the next level of food safety excellence, strengthen audit performance, reduce risk, and partner with operations to support scalable growth.

This role is responsible for leading and maintaining a comprehensive food safety and risk management program in a food production environment operating under  SQF certification . This role verify compliance with  OSHA regulations, SQF Code requirements  while supporting management training, and continuous food safety improvement across all production and warehouse operations.

The Food Safety Manager  works cross-functionally with  Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse, HR  to ensure audit readiness, and reduce risk exposure.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Food Safety & Quality Leadership

1. Own and continuously improve Mama Lola’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in compliance with FDA, FSMA, and SQF requirements
2. Serve as the SQF Practitioner, with full responsibility for certification readiness, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement
3. Lead all internal and external audits, including FDA inspections, SQF audits, customer audits, and third-party assessments
4. Develop, implement, and maintain HACCP plans, food defense, food fraud mitigation, allergen control, sanitation programs, and traceability systems
5. Investigate and resolve food safety incidents, non-conformances, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)

Safety and Food Safety Compliance

1. Ensure safety programs support SQF elements related to employee safety, training, and operational controls

2. Maintain audit-ready documentation for SQF.

3. Conduct facility safety inspections, GMP-adjacent safety audits, and corrective action follow-ups

4. Serve as primary food safety contact during SQF audits, OSHA inspections, and third-party assessments

5. Conduct inspections for compliance on site-specific safety programs such as: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Hearing Conservation, PPE, Hazard Communication, Forklift Safety, and Incident Reporting.

Training and Employee Safety Development

1. Train and coach leadership teams on food safety and plant safety expectations

2. Build a culture where food safety and employee safety are embedded into daily operations—not treated as a checklist

3. Ensure safety training meets both OSHA and SQF training documentation requirements

Incident and Risk Management

1. Investigate workplace injuries, near misses, and property damage incidents along with safety commitment.

2. Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions

3. Conduct regular site inspections and audits to identify potential hazards and ensure corrective measures are implemented promptly.

Compliance and Reporting

1. Prepare and present safety performance reports to management.

2. Verify proper documentation and recordkeeping of all safety-related activities and training.

Operational Food Safety, Safety & Continuous Improvement

1. Support supervisors in enforcing food safety policies and safe work practices

2. Recommend PPE, ergonomic improvements, and process control suitable for food production environments

3. Participate in equipment installations and process changes to assess safety risk prior to implementation

Emergency Preparedness & Environmental Safety

1. Verify Emergency Action Plans, evacuation procedures, and incident response protocols

2. Support environmental compliance related to spills, chemical handling, and waste management

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

E ducation and Experience

· Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in industrial or manufacturing safety management.

· HACCP credential

· FDA, SQF, Maricopa County, Food Defense and Food Fraud knowledge.

· Working knowledge of general OSHA regulations

· Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Skills and Competencies

· Strong communication and leadership skills.

· Ability to conduct effective food safety training and presentations.

· Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving abilities.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office and safety management systems.

· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and departments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· You must be able to walk, stand, and climb ladders or stairs frequently throughout the facility.

Work Environment

· Manufacturing plant environment with moderate to high noise levels.

· Exposure to moving mechanical parts, chemicals, and varying temperatures.

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