Food Safety Program Specialist

Flying Embers was founded in Ojai, California by a team of entrepreneurs, winemakers, musicians and surfers driven to create the best tasting, highest quality and most innovative organic alcohol drinks in the world. Flying Embers got its name when they banded together during the Thomas Fires to protect everything they had been working to build. The experience gave them the name and their drive towards a purpose beyond the brews. They established the Embers Foundation to support firefighters and first responders with 1% of all sales going directly towards Rewild, Respond and Recover efforts. We take intense pride in pushing the limits of innovation in our brewing and in building our biz. Today, Flying Embers is a national brand with strong local roots in Ventura, California.

Our team is currently looking for a skilled and motivated Food Safety Program Specialist in the Ventura, CA area. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking for a role within a fast-paced environment. The position will be based out of our Ventura, CA headquarters.

Who We Are:

Flying Embers is an innovative fermented beverage company. We specialize in USDA Organic hard kombucha, canned cocktails, and hard seltzers. Our beverages are a better-for-you option, built for the modern drinker. The brand was launched during the 2017 Thomas Fires. This inspired our name and our values. Today, Flying Embers donates a portion of all sales to firefighters, first responders, and the communities that they serve through their nonprofit organization, the Embers Foundation.

Position Description:

As the Program Specialist, Food Safety, you will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the company’s food safety and quality management systems. You will demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, be highly collaborative, consistently proactive, engaged, and persistent in finding solutions and new ideas to achieve Flying Ember's company objectives. This position's initial focus will be on implementation of programs in support of SQF and Organic certifications, development and maintenance of records, and hands on engagement with cross-functional teams to support quality and food safety initiatives.

Essential Duties to be performed accurately and routinely include, but are not limited to:
• In collaboration with cross functional team members, develop, implement, and train to SOPs, job aids, and record keeping documents in support of food safety and quality initiatives such as HACCP, sanitation, chemical usage, shipping, storage, good laboratory practices etc.
• Conducts weekly facility audits in support of food safety and GMP programs to include environmental monitoring, water quality, site security, plant self-inspections etc. Documentation of all activities, tracking, and support closeout of findings.
• Acts as a super user for the company’s cloud based QT9 platform for all Food Safety and Quality and related documentation.
• Daily review of operational records against Good Documentation Practices. Maintain records per document retention policy and ensure they are complete, accurate, and readily available during third party or internal audits.
• Supports regulatory items to ensure the team complies with our regulatory framework for products and audits, both scheduled, and unscheduled.
• Coordinates activities and acts as the primary point of contact for the CAPA program for item initiation through to 30+ days no recurrence of deployed mitigations.
• Provides KPI reporting of food safety and quality activities and outcomes from system data analysis and audits.
• Provides general support for the supplier quality program for Flying Embers and Co-Manufacturing production items, from onboarding and intake to general upkeep.
• Supports process and system troubleshooting and improvement activities for all quality and food safety related items including the investigation and reporting on consumer complaints.
• Provides administrative support for the company’s QT9 database system.
• On an as-needed basis, provides support to the Quality Lab by covering for vacations or open shifts in support of the production schedule.
• Working understanding of GMP and GLP, as it pertains to the manufacturing environment, and works to improve people, process, and tools to ensure compliance with SQF policy.
• Acts as a duty expert and trusted advisor for quality related issues throughout the value chain.
• Develops and maintains personal knowledge regarding industry trends.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and/or required.

The above noted duties are not intended to describe every task that may be assigned, but rather to provide a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of business demands change, so too may the duties of this position.

Minimum Qualifications
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four (4) year College or University in Food Safety, Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Fermentation Sciences; AND
2. Four (4) years total professional post-college experience in a food safety capacity in a food or beverage manufacturing environment.
3. Certification as a SQF Practitioner or PCQI or similar experience is a plus.

Working Conditions
The following requirements are conditions of employment. Applicants must have the ability and willingness to meet these requirements at the time of employment application filing and maintain these requirements throughout employment.
· Ability to commute to the Ventura Headquarters daily
· Adapt to changes in brewing, packaging and production schedules and work various schedules, which may also include swing or night shifts, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime as operations dictate.
· Safely work around and communicate in a hot, cold, wet, damp and loud production environment for extended periods of time
· Safely handle and work around chemicals, gasses and hot liquids
· Work around moving machinery and mechanical devices.
· Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies throughout the brewery.
· Work in high places and confined spaces
· Continuously lift to shoulder height and carry up to 55 lbs. with or without assistive devices and push or pull up to 200 lbs.
· While unassisted: bend, sit, kneel and squat, balance, twist and turn, reach over one’s shoulders, walk and stand continuously for extended periods of time over uneven surfaces; walk up and down stairs: ascend and descend ladders.
· Multi-task
· Maintain punctuality and predictable attendance and eagerness to manage time and resources, get the job done safely and correctly, support coworkers and develop professionally.
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age

Benefits
· Comprehensive health and wellness coverage
· 401k
· Flexible working environment
· Flexible Spending Account Benefits
· Generous and flexible vacation policy
· Pet Insurance for your furry kids
· Free personal development therapy (EAP)

Perks
· Free Flying Embers beverages
· Company branded swag.
· Brand partnership discounts with other local purpose driven companies
· Happy hours, team building, company-sponsored events and festivals
· Casual/Creative Office Environment

Physical Requirements and Work Environment
· Required to stand, sit, squat, bend and twist, from time to time.

Equal Opportunity
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.