Plenty is on a mission to make fresh and clean fruits and vegetables more accessible to everyone. Our cutting-edge indoor, vertical farms produce extraordinary yields using a fraction of the land and water outdoor farms need. Nutrient-rich, mouth-watering and locally grown, our crops help people, communities and our planet to be healthier and more resilient.
The people and teams who make up Plenty are at the core of how we do this. We are a collaborative and innovative bunch. We are passionate about our contributions to Plenty, the communities around us and our planet, but never take ourselves too seriously. We're down to Earth, we grow together, and we always find a way. Most importantly, we are growing for a better tomorrow, today.
About the role
Plenty is looking for a dynamic, people-oriented Manager, Food Safety and Quality Assurance. Your skills and training will be applied to a new and innovative indoor vertical farming environment growing and harvesting strawberries! This is a full-time, onsite role in our Chester, VA location.
Quality Assurance and Compliance ensures the produce we grow is safe. In this role, you will lead a team of quality assurance and food safety professionals that ensure the standards of our world class produce and farms.
What you'll do
Lead a strong food safety and quality culture throughout all levels of the site organization
Ownership of the site's environmental monitoring program (Microbiological testing) including vendor management and cost efficiency measures
Be a hands on key member of the farm production site leadership team, including functioning as back up support
Demonstrate passion and a high level of floor presence and influence on food safety and product quality
Responsible for line management/coaching of the site's quality and food safety team including managing schedules, timecards, coaching and progressive discipline
Responsible for the site's SQF food safety and quality program as the site's SQF Practitioner
Participate in the R&D Strategy Deployment at the site
Lead the quality function at the site to ensure regulatory requirements are met
Lead and support quality standards like FSSC, SQF, GMP, HACCP, 5S etc.
Implement a quality management system that is in compliance with SQF and QMP standards, including CAPA
Conduct quarterly audits to confirm compliance
Participate as a key member in the Food Safety Council
Manage site-specific SOPs related to quality and food safety functions
Ensure the integration of quality and food safety procedures and processes to drive quality performance
Others duties as assigned - we're a growing scale-up so you never know what you might get the opportunity to work on as we grow
What you'll bring to the table
Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Safety, or related field required
Minimum 10+ years of experience working in Quality Assurance, with 5+ years of experience in people management, proven track record in developing teams and leading people
Demonstrated experience driving results and ensuring key metrics are met and exceeded
Ability to strongly communicate across teams to ensure results are achieved
Experience in Quality and/or produce (fruits and vegetable) experience a plus
HACCP-certified preferred
Demonstrated experiences in leading change, project management, and driving world class food safety culture.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
Ability to push, pull and lift up to 40 lbs
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Ability to work in produce freezer environments - as low as 32 degrees
Ability to work at heights up to 40 feet
Bilingual in Spanish and English a plus
Type of role
Full-Time / Onsite
What we can offer
Compensation: we'll pay you a competitive salary on a biweekly basis, give you a stake in the company via equity and contribute toward your 401K
Health & well-being: we'll invest in your physical and mental well-being with comprehensive medical, dental, & vision benefits, along with support for your mental health through Spring Health and financial wellness through LearnLux. Plus pet insurance for your furry family members!
Food: in-office snacks and access to our leafy greens & new produce in development -- are you up for a side gig as a taste tester?
Grow together: learning & development opportunities including lunch & learns, training certifications, and more
Equipment: we'll provide you with the equipment you need to be successful, including $75/month toward your home internet and phone bills and $250 every 2 years to upgrade your phone
Paid time off: we know you'll do your best if you're taking time to recharge, so we don't cap the amount of vacation days you can take off per year + offer 6 days of paid sick leave per year in addition to the paid holidays we observe
Parental leave: 12 weeks off for all eligible new parents - fully paid so you can focus your energy on your newest addition