Director, Fresh Produce Safety, Quality and Compliance

Location: Can be primarily based in Salinas, CA; Yuma, AZ; or El Centro, CA

Travel: 65%, based on fresh produce production seasonality

Description

Mori, formerly known as Cambridge Crops, is a dynamic Series B startup leading the charge against food waste. Our mission, "More Food, Less Waste," drives our commitment to transforming the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. By harnessing the unique properties of a naturally derived silk protein, Mori pioneers an all-natural food ingredient and coating that extends the shelf life of perishable foods. With Mori Silk, we aim to revolutionize the food system by reducing reliance on plastic packaging, minimizing food and packaging waste, and enhancing efficiency across the supply chain. Our passionate team is dedicated to continuous learning and believes in our collective ability to make a positive impact on the world. 

About the Role

We are seeking a results-driven, hands-on team member to partner with our produce operations team. As the foundational member of our West Coast-based Food Safety, Quality and Compliance team, you will directly report to Mori’s VP of Regulatory & Scientific Affairs. In this key role, you will take ownership of all aspects related to Fresh Produce Safety, Quality, and Compliance (FSQ) for our operations. While initially focusing on supporting Mori’s leafy greens business, this position offers the potential for expansion alongside Mori´s growth to include other produce categories.

What You Will Do

• Develop, implement and manage produce safety, quality, and compliance programs for Mori’s fresh produce operations
• Oversee the management of the safety, quality and compliance of all fresh produce operations including, but not limited to, Mori-owned warehouse locations, 3rd party logistics and warehousing partners, the application of Mori products onto leafy greens, and supporting new produce applications

• Develop a gold standard safety and quality culture for the Mori fresh produce business
• Ensure adherence to all operating procedures, encompassing timely sanitation of facilities and equipment, cold storage, transportation, warehousing, along with pre-operation sanitation checks, monitoring programs, and field applications  of the Mori product
• Design and execute ad hoc projects that meet Mori´s technical and business objectives
• Consistently assess quality systems and institute or revise site-specific procedures in accordance with Mori's Corporate Quality Systems Manual as needed
• Audit facility programs and update the facility food safety plan as required by FSMA
• Maintain open communication with internal teams to ensure that all finished product specs and company processes are met at all times
• Partner with field teams on all produce safety, quality assurance, and regulatory issues
• Conduct risk assessments for new applications and customer locations/equipment and develop pertinent controls in coordination with the Technical Services Team
• Provide food safety, quality, and compliance support to ensure the successful commercial deployment of new customer applications
• Investigate produce-related customer complaints and identify and implement appropriate corrective actions and preventive measures as needed
• Review and analyze fresh produce safety, quality and compliance KPI’s and prepare periodic reports
• Maintain applicable licenses and certifications for all Mori West Coast operations
• Manage LGMA compliance for Mori applications
• Interface with external partners’ food safety and operations teams
• Ensure proper staffing, scheduling, training, delegation of duties and staff management of the department

Who You Are

• Solutions-Oriented: you approach problems and challenges proactively, collaboratively and constructively with a focus on finding practical, effective and compliant solutions that balance the needs of all stakeholders with regulatory requirements

• Growth & Impact Mindset: you seek out and enjoy new challenges that stretch you while constantly identifying ways to create value for your internal and external partners

• Integrated Thinker: you navigate ambiguity to see the big picture while simultaneously driving incremental changes with a systematic approach, blending strategic thinking with tactical execution in day-to-day operations

• Collaborative Partner: you leverage excellent communication skills across all levels and stakeholders to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal partners and external Mori customers

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Food Science or related field (or equivalent additional work experience)
• 5-10 years of management experience in the Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory field
• 5+ years experience in fresh produce harvesting and/or processing (leafy greens preferred)
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)
• Strong knowledge of FSMA, LGMA and USDA Organic program requirements 
• PCQI Certified (preferred)
• Certified Auditor in GFSI standards or equivalent experience (preferred)
• Strong risk assessment skills
• Crisis management experience  

Benefits

Mori provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Equity
• Health, vision, and dental plans where Mori pays 60%-70% of the premium
• Health Savings Account (HSA) for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)
• Unlimited paid-time-off (which includes sick pay) and 13 paid company holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Free, access to confidential mental health counsellors through a program called Health Advocate. Health Advocate also helps with other things (securing childcare, finding lawyers for wills, etc.), and you have access to the full array of Health Advocate options
• Health Advocate also offers advice on which health insurance option to choose based on your personal circumstances (HIPAA compliant, everything is done between you and them and never comes to a Mori employee). This type of program is often referred to as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free OneMedical on-demand primary care (24/7 access to physicians, online booking system, membership fee is covered), insurance required for certain services
• Free TelaDoc through Aetna available to employees with an active Mori health plan
• One year of TalkSpace (fully online mental health therapists) Access based on enrollment in an active Mori provided Health Benefit plan. Monthly limitations apply
• Optional Life and supplemental life insurance through MetLife

Mori is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and all applicable state and local fair employment practices laws. Employment opportunities at Mori are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, caste, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Mori participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program, which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees and most existing employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. For new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on or before the first day of work. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to www.uscis.gov and click on 'E-Verify' located near the bottom of the page.