Senior Food Safety Specialist with Japanese Language Proficiency

Job Title: Senior Food Safety Specialist

Industry: Japanese Food and Beverage Distributor

Reports to: QA Manager

Location: El Monte, CA

Work Hours: Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM with a 1 hour lunch break

【Essential Job Functions】

• Provides documents to customers when requested spec sheet, raw material specifications (Origin, quality, standards of ingredients used in production), Audit Certificates (Audit Checklist, Certificate of Analysis lab tests), letter of guarantee, etc.
• Develops and maintains Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety plans, and prerequisite programs such as Sanitation, Good Manufacturing/Distribution Practice (GMP)'s for food storage and distribution, Food Defense, Recall, Allergen and Supplier Verification (Vendor's Program)
• Verifies imported products labeling and ingredients; assure they are in compliance with US regulations.
• Prevents defects by investigating non-conformities, their root causes, and implementing corrective actions
• Ensures all required documents are ready as scheduled for audits, HACCP verifications, and equipment calibrations
• Identifies solutions by analyzing product quality and food safety issues 
• Investigates customer complaints about quality discrepancies and takes corrective actions; responds to customers in a timely manner
• Conducts monthly internal audits to discover any quality discrepancies; works closely with warehouse management to adapt corrective actions in time.
• Researches import regulations and required documents for products under USDA/APHIS/FSIS jurisdiction
• Assists in facility food safety internal audits as well as manages third party audits.
• Works with the appropriate management personnel to audit and approve the selected co-packers, suppliers, and storage facilities. Conducts monthly internal audits and works closely with warehouse management to implement any corrective actions.
• Ensures documentations for audits, equipment calibration, and HACCP related verification records are completed as scheduled.
• Develops and maintains Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans and other prerequisite food safety programs such as Sanitation, Good Manufacturing/Distribution Practice (GMP)'s for food storage and distribution, Food Defense, Recall, Allergen and Supplier Verification (Vendor's Program).
• Implements, maintains, and improves all quality systems (i.e. HACCP, FSMA GFSI, Pest, Sanitation etc). 
• Develops, maintains, and revises updates of all Quality and Food Safety SOPs.
• Oversight of facility pest control programs to include in-house program and contracted program from external service providers.
• Receives and companies with inspectors from governmental agencies (e.g., USDA, Local Health Department) for onsite inspection.
• Travels frequently to support other branches to solve their safety related issues.
• Attends Company events and functions outside of normal working hours
• Attends semiannual inventory count on designated day, possibly on a weekend
• Other duties as assigned

【Physical Requirements】

• Able to sit in an office for a majority of the day
• Able to go on business trip by car and airplane
• Able to type and use a computer for extended periods of time
• Able to stand, walk, reach, bend, kneel, and lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Working Conditions
o Noise Level: Normal to loud
o Indoors

【Other Requirements】

• Business level English required
• Business level Japanese preferred
• Ability to verify product labels in Japanese preferred
• Maintains a positive attitude
• Able to work independently and as a team
• Able to adapt to frequent changes in assignments and workload
• Bachelors Degree required; Bachelors Degree in Food Science or relevant studies strongly preferred
• 3+ years of food safety or other relevant experience preferred

【Knowledge and skills】

• Knowledge of food safety procedures
• Demonstrates basic Microsoft Office proficiency
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Possesses basic mathematical knowledge such as markups, discounts, counting inventory, weight and measurement conversions, combining, etc.
• Has strong communications and interpersonal skills
• Has strong customer service and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors preferred

Compensation: $27.20 - $38.00/hour, depending on your experience and qualifications. +Benefit package, including health, vision, dental, and 401K with company matching.