The Food Safety Director is responsible for leading Cox Farms' food safety strategy and ensuring the highest standards of food safety, regulatory compliance, and product integrity across all growing and production facilities. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to strengthen a proactive food safety culture, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with FDA regulations, GFSI standards, customer requirements, and company policies. The Director provides strategic leadership in risk management, audit readiness, environmental monitoring, and food safety program development to help deliver safe, high-quality leafy greens to our customers every day.
Specifically, you will:
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Develop and execute Cox Farms enterprise food safety strategy across all growing, harvesting, packing, and distribution operations
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Lead and continuously improve the company's Food Safety Management System while ensuring compliance with FDA regulations, FSMA, SQF certification requirements, customer expectations, and industry best practices
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Serve as the company's food safety expert, providing strategic guidance to executive leadership and cross-functional business partners
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Build scalable food safety programs that support company growth, operational excellence, and customer confidence
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Lead all SQF certifications, regulatory inspections, customer audits, and third-party assessments while maintaining continuous audit readiness
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Oversee environmental monitoring, sanitation validation, water quality programs, allergen controls, pest management, and preventive food safety initiatives
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Develop enterprise food safety KPIs and leverage data analytics to identify trends, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement
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Lead investigations involving food safety incidents, customer complaints, product holds, withdrawals, and recalls while ensuring timely root cause analysis and corrective actions
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Partner with Operations and Quality leaders to embed food safety into daily operations and strengthen accountability across the organization
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Develop and maintain food safety policies, standards, procedures, and training programs that reinforce a world-class food safety culture
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Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing food safety team while fostering continuous learning and professional development
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Evaluate emerging regulations, scientific research, and industry trends to proactively strengthen food safety programs
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Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and external regulatory agencies to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain
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Support new product launches, facility expansions, automation initiatives, and capital projects by incorporating food safety principles into planning and execution
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Champion a culture where food safety is everyone's responsibility and is embedded in every aspect of the business
The ideal candidate has:
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Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Biology, Agriculture, or a related scientific discipline required; Master's degree preferred
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10+ years of progressive food safety leadership experience within food manufacturing, fresh produce, or controlled environment agriculture
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Multi-site leadership experience managing enterprise food safety programs across multiple facilities
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Strong experience in fresh-cut produce, leafy greens, hydroponic agriculture, or other highly perishable food manufacturing environments preferred
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Extensive knowledge of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Produce Safety Rule, Preventive Controls, GMPs, GAPs, HACCP, sanitation programs, and microbiological risk management
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Strong working knowledge of GFSI-recognized certification programs including SQF, BRCGS, PrimusGFS, or equivalent
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Extensive experience managing allergens and allergen controls
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Proven success leading FDA inspections, customer audits, third-party certifications, and regulatory compliance initiatives
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Demonstrated experience managing environmental monitoring programs, sanitation validation, CAPA programs, water quality, and preventive food safety systems
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Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification preferred
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Strong executive presence with the ability to influence leaders at every level of the organization
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Experience developing enterprise-wide strategies, leading organizational change, and driving continuous improvement
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Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills
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Experience using quality management systems, food safety technologies, and performance metrics to improve business outcomes
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office and food safety/quality management systems
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Willingness to travel approximately 50% to support the business's growing network of farms
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Passion for food safety, innovation, continuous improvement, and sustainable agriculture
Why Cox Farms (BrightFarms):
At BrightFarms, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of food safety within one of the fastest-growing companies in controlled environment agriculture.
We offer:
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Competitive compensation package, including an annual performance bonus.
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Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
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401(k) with company match
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Paid time off and company holidays
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Career growth and leadership development opportunities
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The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of sustainable agriculture
Equal Opportunity Employer:
BrightFarms is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and provided equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
BrightFarms is the Place to Grow. Come grow with us.
