Food Safety & Quality and Food Regulations Specialist

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 15,000 people globally.

Purpose and Objective of Position

This position is responsible for the writing, reviewing, completion and delivery of documents (e.g., Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Regulatory Statements, etc.) to customers; receiving, communicating to management, assigning, participating and overseeing the timely completion of all activities related to execution of CAPA’s generated from customers’ complaints; review and incorporate the food safety and quality assurance elements in the operational SOP’s; ensure that any changes in operational SOP’s derived from resolution of customers’ complaints and impacting the food safety and quality of the products are incorporated in the SOP’s via Management of Change system; collects the necessary data from the Site QA manager to develop presentations to deliver to customers. The Site Food Safety & Quality Documentation Specialist will interact with customers ensuring timely delivery of technical & regulatory documentation; and providing answers to any technical & scientific questions while maintaining the Commercial Team, Site QA Manager and NAM Regional FS, QA, & QMS informed of all communications.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responds to all Food Safety and Quality Assurance inquiries from customers sent via Commercial team and/or the NAM Regional FS, QA, &QMS Manager and/or customers.
• Manages all the customers complaints with direct guidance and advice of the NAM Regional FS, QA, & QMS Manager including the CAPA’s generated by the complaints.
• Reviews and updates all commercial ready documents that the Commercial team shares with customers.
• Reviews and modifies the operational SOP’s from the Food Safety and Quality Assurance perspectives.
• Communicate with operations the food safety and quality assurance related changes of the operational SOP’s.
• Maintains all Management of Change documentation.
• Participates in the audit programs related to food safety and quality, in investigation of any nonconforming food safety or quality issue and in the facility Food/Feed Safety Programs and assessments, including site HACCP.
• Monitors internal and external factors impacting the quality management system (i.e., emerging regulations, innovations that might impact the site’s quality systems).
• Accepts, carries out and completes other duties as assigned by the NAM Regional FS, QA, & QMS Manager.

Equipment Used

• Typical office equipment: PC/Laptop, telephone, smartphone.
• Working knowledge of analytical chemistry instrumentation and methods

Working Conditions

• Primarily climate-controlled office environment.  Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.  Some stair climbing is required. 
• Travel up to 10 % to other sites. 
• Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies. 

Decision Making/Accountability

• Able to work unsupervised and make critical decisions on Food Safety and Quality Assurance & Control procedures and process that have direct implications to budgets and profitability, and food safety/quality of an agricultural processing plant.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment in multiple projects communicating with various levels of management to provide recommendations on Food Safety and Quality Assurance & Control results and process improvements.

Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities

• Active member of the facility SHE Program. Maintains good working knowledge of SHE policies, rules, and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to.  Ensures employees are provided required training for area assigned, and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work.  Ensures unsafe working conditions are remedied as soon as practicable. 

Basic qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in science Food Science and Technology with a minimum of 6+ years of experience in the food industry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred qualifications:

• Certified as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for Human Foods (FDA approved curriculum)
• Certified as a PCQA for Animal Foods (FDA approved curriculum)
• Certification in auditing for a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) food safety scheme (FSSC 22000, SQF, BRC)
• Knowledge of BQ 9000 pre-requisites

Experience

Basic qualifications:

• 6+ years Food Industry in Quality Assurance, Food Safety and Food experience

 Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Quality Management System and Good Manufacturing and Practices Food/Feed Safety Audits
• Vendor Management Systems Experience
• Knowledge of biofuels production (fuel ethanol via fermentation; biodiesel via transesterification)
• Experience in all technical, processing, and scientific aspects of value-added food ingredients as well as in feeds

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Familiar with industry recognized Analytical Standards (ASTM, AOCS, AOAC, AACC, USP, NSF)
• Strong computer software skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office
• Above average skill with customer relations/interactions
• Good team building and facilitation skills.
• Negotiation skills and ability to effectively influence others.

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Hybrid work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us