Food Safety Specialist

Printpack is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Food Safety Specialist in our Flexible printing manufacturing operation. This position will support the Rhinelander plant and report to the Quality Manager. The Food Safety Specialist will ensure that Rhinelander's Quality and Food Safety Management System consistently provides products and services that meet customer and brand requirements and that our food safety management system effectively meets the requirements of Printpack customers, consumers, regulators and registrars.  This position will work Monday - Friday.

The ideal candidate will have skills that include: Ability to work in a cross-functional team environment, experience in administration of food safety programs, strong communication skills and ability to interact with customers and external auditors, experience leading teams, experience with facilities maintenance, ability to manage contractors, strong initiative, and ability to drive continuous improvement. A candidate with a background in HACCP Food Safety and applicable standards is desired.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Food Safety Management System (FSMS) – Oversee FSMS operations at assigned locations and ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and certification requirements. Review and maintain food safety procedures and instructions to ensure alignment with OPM requirements and applicable standards. Maintain working knowledge of customer food safety requirements and version updates.

• Audit Program Management – Serve as the primary contact and liaison for all internal and external audits (ISO 9001, FSSC22000 (ISO 22000, TS22002-4 and Additional Requirements), and customer audits). Manage audit schedules, preparation, certification body communications, follow-up activities, and payments. Conduct daily plant inspections, communicate findings and corrective action requests to Plant Leadership Teams, and train others on conducting audits and inspections.

• Food Safety Team Leadership – Lead and manage cross-functional Food Safety Teams at assigned plant(s), facilitate monthly meetings, coordinate team activities, and ensure team members maintain relevant training and competencies. Participate in company-wide food safety and quality teams as assigned.

• Training & Awareness – Develop and deliver food safety awareness and in-depth training programs for plant(s) personnel across all shifts and levels, including onboarding, annual refresher, and role-specific food safety training. Serve as the Workday Learning Coordinator for Food Safety-related training. Support food safety engagement activities and culture initiatives. (This may include working 2nd and 3rd shift  to provide training and ensure Food Safety practices are being followed.)

• Corrective Action & Continuous Improvement – Enter, manage, and verify completion of all root cause and corrective actions related to food safety audit findings in Printpack's eQMS. Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to assess food safety risks, investigate incidents, and implement sustainable corrective actions. Develop food safety objectives and drive proactive improvement initiatives to reduce quality complaints.

• Regulatory & Standards Compliance – In consultation with corporate offices, interpret and apply current food safety laws, standards, certifications, FDA regulations, GMPs, and company policies. Inform plant leadership of conditions that could lead to potential violations of laws, certification requirements, or company policies. Communicate regulatory and standards changes to the plant leadership team(s).

• Environmental & Food Safety Program Execution – Manage plant environmental microbial testing and swabbing programs at assigned Plant(s). Complete HACCP, chemical, and raw material reviews, traceability exercises per procedure requirements, locker inspections (2 per year), and mixed copy audits. Hire and manage contractors and consultants as needed to complete food safety activities within budget and timelines.

• Reporting & Documentation – Generate accurate reports and maintain compliant documentation to identify trends, support management reviews, and provide information to corporate leadership, customers, and regulatory agencies. Follow position standard work to verify completion of tasks in a timely manner.

Education & Experience:    

• Bachelor's degree in Food Safety, Quality Management, Science, or related field—OR equivalent combination of education and work experience

• Prior experience administering food safety programs and preventive controls within a food safety regulatory framework required

• HACCP certification or equivalent food safety training required

• Experience with, ISO 22000, ISO/TS 22002-4, Additional Requirements v6, ISO 9001, and/or SQF preferred

• Third-party auditing experience or understanding of audit processes preferred

• Experience coordinating initiatives, leading teams, and facilitating meetings

Printpack is proudly an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Embracing diversity enhances our work culture and is vital to our success. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/parental status, genetic information, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, marital status, military or veteran status or affiliation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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