Environmental Monitoring Program Coordinator

Barrett Petfood•Little Falls, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Monitoring Program Coordinator owns the day-to-day administration and execution of Barrett Petfoods’ environmental monitoring programs at its Brainerd and Little Falls facilities. The role coordinates risk-based sampling, maintains program records and site maps, reviews laboratory results, trends data, and leads timely investigations and corrective-action follow-up for presumptive or unacceptable findings. The Coordinator partners with Quality, Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, and plant leadership to strengthen pathogen-control systems and ensure consistent implementation at both plants. This position is scheduled for first shift, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The listed pay range is $24.50–$28.00 per hour. The role may require occasional off-shift, weekend, or urgent-response support, as well as coverage at either facility as program needs require.

Requirements

Two or more years of experience in food, feed, pet food, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing is preferred.
Hands-on experience with environmental monitoring, microbiological sampling, sanitation verification, quality systems, or laboratory coordination is strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of GMPs and food-safety systems.
Experience reviewing data, identifying trends, managing corrective actions, and maintaining controlled records is preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and electronic recordkeeping or quality-management systems.
Ability to interpret laboratory reports, recognize abnormal or recurring results, and organize a structured investigation and follow-up plan.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout a manufacturing facility.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, and perform other physical activities required in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to safely and routinely climb and descend stairs and ladders, including accessing elevated work areas and equipment.
Ability to safely operate or work from a scissor lift to access elevated equipment and production areas for inspection, verification, and environmental or sanitation sampling.
Ability to maintain balance and stability on elevated platforms, stairs, ladders, and uneven or wet surfaces, as applicable.
Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including areas that may be hot, cold, wet, humid, noisy, or subject to temperature fluctuations.
Ability to provide occasional off-shift, weekend, or urgent-response support.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in microbiology, food science, biology, chemistry, quality, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
HACCP, PCQI, SQF, or environmental monitoring training is preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and maintain a consistent, risk-based environmental monitoring program for both manufacturing facilities, including sampling schedules, zone assignments, site rotations, sample locations, and required organisms or indicators.
Perform environmental sampling and train or qualify designated employees in sponge and swab techniques, sample labeling, handling, documentation, and shipment to the approved laboratory.
Maintain environmental monitoring maps, master site lists, sampling calendars, laboratory submissions and results, investigation records, corrective actions, and verification documentation.
Review laboratory results promptly and communicate presumptive, positive, elevated, or otherwise unacceptable findings to appropriate Quality and plant leaders.
Initiate and coordinate vector investigations, intensified sampling, re-swabbing, and follow-up testing; verify required consecutive negative results before returning areas to routine monitoring.
Trend results by facility, area, zone, organism, sample site, and recurrence; identify emerging patterns, repeat findings, potential niches, traffic-related risks, and preventive-action opportunities.
Lead or support root-cause investigations involving sanitation, water intrusion, condensation, construction, maintenance work, traffic flow, equipment condition, dust, drains, and other environmental risk factors.
Partner with Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, and Quality to ensure cleaning, repairs, containment, and preventive actions are completed, documented, and verified for effectiveness.
Conduct routine plant walks and risk assessments to identify new or changing sample sites, hygienic-design concerns, harborage points, and environmental conditions that may affect product safety.
Prepare environmental monitoring summaries, trend reports, performance metrics, and open-action updates for Quality and plant leadership.
Support SQF, customer, regulatory, and internal audits by maintaining audit-ready records and explaining program design, execution, findings, and corrective actions.
Review and recommend updates to procedures, work instructions, forms, maps, sampling frequencies, and training materials based on risk, results, facility changes, and audit findings.
Coordinate laboratory supplies, sampling materials, shipping needs, and related inventory; work with approved laboratories to resolve submission, testing, or reporting issues.
Provide coverage and hands-on support at either facility as program needs require, including occasional off-shift, weekend, or urgent-response support.
Promote a food-safety culture that encourages prompt reporting, disciplined follow-through, accurate documentation, and continuous improvement.