Food Safety Manager #00068

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

12d•$80,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Food Safety Manager for the Food Safety Program in the Office of Dairy and Foods, Division of Animal and Food Industry Services. Under the leadership of the Program Manager, the Manager will collaborate and direct assigned regions of a statewide Food Safety Program and provide both operational and technical management and support for the Food Safety Program that includes four regional offices. Program activities include administering all food laws and regulations; implementing and directing an inspection program that will protect the public from adulterated and misrepresented food products and dietary supplements while simultaneously promoting food safety and coordinating emergency response activities with respect to food products. Duties include coordinating human resource activities; managing grants and ensuring federal contract compliance; evaluating current regulations and making recommendations for amendments or new legislation; working with the Program Manager to achieve the objectives and strategies as outlined in the strategic plan; and overseeing inspection and emergency response activities. The Managers will have routine interaction with Virginia’s food industries, federal/state officials and law enforcement organizations, special interest groups, and the general public to communicate program services and regulatory requirements. The selected individual will establish and work from home offices under the guidance and direction of the Office of Dairy and Foods Program Manager. They will be required to work from the VDACS headquarters in downtown Richmond a minimum of one day per week, or as otherwise needed or approved. The home office will serve as the base point for related commuting and travel requirements; therefore, the home office location must reasonably be distanced from Richmond to allow for efficient travel and productivity. This is generally determined to be approximately 2 hours allowing for some flexibility. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications. Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth’s telework policy.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of food and dietary supplement safety principles and practices.
Demonstrated knowledge of budget/fiscal management and prioritized allocation of resources.
Demonstrated knowledge of financial management.
Demonstrated knowledge of legislative processes and policy and regulation development practices.
Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise personnel, operations, and technical aspects of a complex statewide program.
Exceptional oral/written communication skills, public relations and presentation skills.
Exceptional customer service, organizational, interpersonal and leadership skills.
Proven ability to interact effectively with industry, state/federal government officials, the food industry, a diverse workforce and the general public.
Proven ability to motivate, coach, lead and manage/supervise personnel.
Demonstrate team orientation, flexibility and desire for constant improvement.
Progressive experience in food, health or environmental regulatory compliance programs to include grant management, financial analysis, personnel management, and purchasing procedures.
Computer proficiency.
Considerable relevant supervisory experience.
Relevant technical expertise.
Must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety.
HS Diploma/GED required.

Nice To Haves

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge food science, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental health or a related field.
Experience in regulatory compliance programs, state/federal food laws and food and dietary supplement safety principles are strongly preferred.
Knowledge and experience with Virginia’s legislative processes as well as demonstrated knowledge of legal principles, policy and regulation development processes are desirable.

Responsibilities

Collaborate and direct assigned regions of a statewide Food Safety Program.
Provide operational and technical management and support for the Food Safety Program.
Administer all food laws and regulations.
Implement and direct an inspection program to protect the public from adulterated and misrepresented food products and dietary supplements.
Promote food safety.
Coordinate emergency response activities with respect to food products.
Coordinate human resource activities.
Manage grants and ensure federal contract compliance.
Evaluate current regulations and make recommendations for amendments or new legislation.
Work with the Program Manager to achieve objectives and strategies outlined in the strategic plan.
Oversee inspection and emergency response activities.
Establish and work from home offices.
Work from VDACS headquarters in downtown Richmond a minimum of one day per week, or as otherwise needed or approved.
Communicate program services and regulatory requirements to Virginia’s food industries, federal/state officials, law enforcement organizations, special interest groups, and the general public.