Certification & Quality Specialist

Location – Hybrid (La Farge – 3 days per week/Remote – 2 days per week)
Employee Type – Salaried  
Bonus Eligibility – No
Safety Sensitive – No

If a company is going to make a difference in today’s world, it’s going to have to think differently. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals, and the earth.  We’re a mission-driven cooperative, owned by family farmers, and we’ve been leaders in organic agriculture from the very beginning.  Once pioneers of organic agriculture, we’re now an established leader.  Organic is all we do.  We are driven by our mission to promote regional farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products.

Summary of Role
  The Certification/Quality Specialist assures identity integrity of ingredients, products, and processors by maintaining accurate and current organic, Kosher and Halal certificates. Additionally, they will work with other team members to manage CROPP’s and Organic Meat Company’s Organic System Plan (OSP). Which includes assisting in the facilitation of our organic inspection, updating our OSP in real time, and keeping OTCO informed of all changes.  This role will also have an emphasis on international business transactions and control of key performance indicators including customs documentation, customer support, and continuous process improvement.   Finally, this role will work alongside others on aspects the business’ food safety programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain regulatory compliance documentation for processing facilities, ingredient suppliers, and private label accounts.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with certifiers, co-packers, co-workers, and industry partners.
• Create export documentation to facilitate the movement of goods internationally.
• Work with and support co-packers to ensure proper registrations for export, organic, kosher and halal documentation and certificates are up to date to meet deadlines for new production targets.
• Review internal, supplier, and co-packer documentation.
• Maintain CROPP’s Organic System Plan.
• Support onboarding of new processing facilities.
• Oversee the product recall and withdrawal program.
• Conduct periodic trace back exercises.
• Participate in professional development and attend trainings to keep abreast with industry standards.

Additional duties/responsibilities

• Attend and participate in cross departmental meetings as assigned.
• Maintain confidential information with discretion.
• Train co-workers in proper processes and systems related to quality management.
• Other duties assigned by the Senior Director or VP of Quality Assurance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture, business, or similar degree; or equivalent work experience required.
• Hands on experience working in large enterprise business systems (i.e., ERP, PLM, SAP, etc.)
• Practical experience in food industry, supply chain, manufacturing, and food safety and quality.
• Preferred knowledge of National Organic Program rule, Kosher and Halal requirements.
• Knowledge of general computer systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate complex information and recommendations in a concise and professional manner.
• Critical thinking, project management and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to learn new skills and readily apply those skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, highly analytical with strong attention to detail.

Base salary range: $51,833 - $67,371 per year 
This salary range is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If you are hired at CROPP, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should expect to be at the lower end of the salary range, and hiring at the maximum of the salary range is not typical.

Benefits
We believe when our people are strong, our mission is strong. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive and holistic Total Rewards package meant to strengthen employees’ and their family's total wellbeing. Here are some of the great benefits offered: 

• Comprehensive Health Insurance - Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf)
• Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Time Off – 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will. 
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave – For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption.
• Vision & Dental Insurance – Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho.
• 401k – We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee’s contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education.
• Flexible Spending Account – For dependent care costs or to help with dental and vision costs.
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance - $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee.
• Mental Health Support – Free 24/7 access to therapists, coaches, and self-led mental health resources. 
• Free onsite fitness centers available 24/7
• Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching.
• Financial advisors and seminars
• Annual $360 wellness reimbursement

Salary : $51,833 - $67,371