Process Authority

LiDestri Foods, Inc. • Village of Fairport, NY

7h • Onsite

About The Position

LiDestri Foods has grown from our roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer to become an R&D engine, formulating and producing innovative food products for our national and retailer brand partners. A family-run company based in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs over 1,000 people across three U.S. locations. We have decades-long partnerships with some of the most respected consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and the most highly inventive retailer brands.

Requirements

• Thermal Process Establishment Course from TechniCAL or JBT required
• Recognized as a Thermal Process Authority by peers, subject matter experts and/or regulatory agencies such as FDA, USDA or CFIA
• BS/BA degree in Engineering, Food Science or relevant science area
• 10+ years’ experience in pH control or low acid processes with a strong knowledge of Thermal Processing equipment, loggers, software and related equipment
• Experience with NumeriCAL® software
• Proven track record on thermally processed foods, analyzing and release of commercially sterile products
• Ability to communicate and train personnel on installing and use of Thermal Processing Equipment
• Possess HACCP and SQF certification with 5 years minimum experience
• Understanding of Microbiology, Physics, Mathematics, Chemical analysis, Sanitation, Pest Control, QC function and tests, R&D function and testing
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to work closely with all departments and management levels
• Strong attention to detail
• General computer proficiency (Word, Excel, etc.)
• 3-5 yrs experience leading a Team

Nice To Haves

• Membership in Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists (IFTPS) preferred

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the safety of all thermally processed foods with clear understanding of the FDA, USDA and CFIA regulations, including hot fill pH controlled, low acid and high-pressure pasteurization processes
• Creates, develops, reviews, and owns the Commercial Sterility processes based on scientific principles to produce safe and high-quality products and provide process instructions to preserve/process products. Ultimate decision maker on product safety and release
• Responsible for all formulation, ingredient, packaging, and processing changes and creates a Thermal Processes design ensuring Commercially Sterilize all products
• Determines product classifications and which products require and do not require FDA, CFIA or USDA filing
• Manages all original process development files, process deviation files, and regulatory process filing files for regulatory compliance
• Audits, reviews, and updates all thermal processing forms at all factories
• Audits, reviews, and trains all Quality Record Reviewers and Retort Operators ensuring compliance to all forms and thermal processes
• Evaluate and introduce new process technologies for innovation and safety enhancement. This includes new commercial sterility equipment, alternate retort packaging
• Organizes team to organize, conduct and review production equipment audits ensuring Pasteurization and Sterilization equipment are functioning properly
• Initiate and enforce corrective action for thermal process issues where required
• Writes and approves Corporate Quality Thermal Processing and Food Safety Guidelines
• Organizes factory audits ensuring Commercially Sterility in Low Acid and Acidified Foods are being met. Create training or CAPA’s to ensure guideline compliance
• Develops process metrics anticipating potential problems and recognizing existing problems that may impact efficiency, product safety and quality
• Reviews and audits acidified, low acid, and HPP HACCP Plans at all factories. Assist in interpretation of HACCP and related government regulations. Approves Foods Safety “Pre-requisite HACCP Programs” as corporate function. Audits include the HACCP Plan (pre-requisites) at least annually and whenever any changes occur that could affect its hazard analysis or alter the HACCP plan
• Has the authority to stop Operations when food safety is a concern
• Work in a safe manner, consistent with company safety rules and regulations

Benefits

• Great career-pathing
• Professional development, including unlimited online training courses
• Health insurance with premium contributions
• Dental, vision, HSA
• 100% company paid life insurance and long-term disability
• 401k – with employer match
• Paid time off to include- vacation, sick pay, wellness time off, and 10 holidays
• Company bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior