Cafe Rio is seeking an on-site Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technician who will oversee all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. The primary responsibility will be to ensure compliance and safety in Cafe Rio’s central food production facility, the Central Craft Kitchen (CCK). The ideal candidate will ensure that all food safety practices and quality assurance measures align with industry standards and legal requirements. This role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the company's products and ensuring the health and safety of consumers.  

·         Food Safety Compliance:

o   Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local food safety regulations, including FDA, USDA, FSIS, and other applicable regulatory bodies.

o   Food Safety Program Management: Implement and maintain comprehensive food safety programs, including HACCP, GMPs, FSMA requirements, and other industry best practices.

o   Conduct inspections and monitor production to ensure the facility meets or exceeds food safety and quality standards set by USDA, FDA, FSIS, and other relevant agencies.

·         Quality Assurance Management:

o   Oversee the implementation and monitoring of quality assurance programs.

o   Risk Assessment: Identify potential food safety risks in the manufacturing process, create and implement effective mitigation strategies, and monitor outcomes.

o   Conduct routine quality assurance checks to monitor product consistency, packaging integrity, and labeling accuracy.

o   Collaborate with the production team to ensure quality standards are maintained across the supply chain.

·         Training:

o   Training and Development: Provide ongoing food safety training for operation team members, foster a culture of food safety awareness, and continuous improvement.

o   Conduct regular monitoring and observation of the food production facility team, offering feedback and development opportunities.

·         Documentation and Recordkeeping:

o   Ensure all corrective actions and preventive measures are properly recorded and followed up on.

·        Cross-functional collaboration:

o   Work closely with the production team to ensure alignment on food safety goals.

o   Foster relationships with external agencies and auditors, to ensure smooth inspections and compliance processes.

·         Continuous improvement:

o   Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, product quality, and process efficiency.

·         Experience:

o   Prior experience in food safety and quality assurance or in commercial food production a plus.

·         Education:

o   High school diploma or GED.

o   Degree in a related field a plus.

·         Skills & Abilities:

o   Excellent communication skills, with the ability to train team members.

o   Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.

o   Detail-oriented with strong organizational and recordkeeping abilities.

·         Other Requirements:

o   Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

o   Ability to work in manufacturing environments, including standing and walking for extended periods.

o   Occasional lifting of up to 60 pounds.

o   Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner.

o   Proficiency in Spanish a plus

Cafe Rio is seeking an on-site Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technician who will oversee all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. The primary responsibility will be to ensure compliance and safety in Cafe Rio’s central food production facility, the Central Craft Kitchen (CCK). The ideal candidate will ensure that all food safety practices and quality assurance measures align with industry standards and legal requirements. This role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the company's products and ensuring the health and safety of consumers.  

·         Food Safety Compliance:

o   Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local food safety regulations, including FDA, USDA, FSIS, and other applicable regulatory bodies.

o   Food Safety Program Management: Implement and maintain comprehensive food safety programs, including HACCP, GMPs, FSMA requirements, and other industry best practices.

o   Conduct inspections and monitor production to ensure the facility meets or exceeds food safety and quality standards set by USDA, FDA, FSIS, and other relevant agencies.

·         Quality Assurance Management:

o   Oversee the implementation and monitoring of quality assurance programs.

o   Risk Assessment: Identify potential food safety risks in the manufacturing process, create and implement effective mitigation strategies, and monitor outcomes.

o   Conduct routine quality assurance checks to monitor product consistency, packaging integrity, and labeling accuracy.

o   Collaborate with the production team to ensure quality standards are maintained across the supply chain.

·         Training:

o   Training and Development: Provide ongoing food safety training for operation team members, foster a culture of food safety awareness, and continuous improvement.

o   Conduct regular monitoring and observation of the food production facility team, offering feedback and development opportunities.

·         Documentation and Recordkeeping:

o   Ensure all corrective actions and preventive measures are properly recorded and followed up on.

·        Cross-functional collaboration:

o   Work closely with the production team to ensure alignment on food safety goals.

o   Foster relationships with external agencies and auditors, to ensure smooth inspections and compliance processes.

·         Continuous improvement:

o   Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety, product quality, and process efficiency.

·         Experience:

o   Prior experience in food safety and quality assurance or in commercial food production a plus.

·         Education:

o   High school diploma or GED.

o   Degree in a related field a plus.

·         Skills & Abilities:

o   Excellent communication skills, with the ability to train team members.

o   Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.

o   Detail-oriented with strong organizational and recordkeeping abilities.

·         Other Requirements:

o   Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

o   Ability to work in manufacturing environments, including standing and walking for extended periods.

o   Occasional lifting of up to 60 pounds.

o   Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner.

o   Proficiency in Spanish a plus