Environmental Monitoring Program Coordinator

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Great careers start with great benefits!

Join the Barrett Petfood family and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical (company paid), dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) with company match; life insurance; health savings account; paid time off; seven paid holidays; employee discounts; complimentary pet food; and fun, company-sponsored events.

About Barrett

Located in the heart of central Minnesota, Barrett Petfood develops super premium pet food diets from emerging brands to market leaders in the industry. Our family-owned, nimble execution and continuous innovation takes pet food manufacturing, packaging and distribution to differentiating levels. With a relationship focus and a family feel, we offer many career opportunities throughout our process.

The EMP Coordinator owns the day-to-day administration and execution of Barrett Petfoods' environmental monitoring programs at the Brainerd and Little Falls facilities. This position coordinates risk-based sampling maintains program records and site maps, reviews laboratory results, trends data, and leads timely investigation and corrective-action follow-up for presumptive or unacceptable findings. The role partners closely with Quality, Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, and plant leadership to strengthen pathogen-control systems and verify that the EMP is consistently implemented at both plants.

1st shift Mon - Fri 6AM - 230PM Pay Range $24.50 - $28.00/hr

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain a consistent, risk-based EMP for both manufacturing facilities, including sampling schedules, zone assignments, site rotations, sample locations, and required organisms or indicators.
• Perform environmental sampling and train or qualify designated employees on proper sponge and swab techniques, sample labeling, handling, documentation, and shipment to the approved laboratory.
• Maintain current environmental monitoring maps, master site lists, sampling calendars, laboratory submissions, results, investigation records, corrective actions, and verification documentation.
• Review laboratory results promptly; communicate presumptive, positive, elevated, or otherwise unacceptable findings to the appropriate Quality and plant leaders.
• Initiate and coordinate vector investigations, intensified sampling, re-swabbing, and follow-up testing in accordance with company procedures; verify completion of required consecutive negative results before returning areas to routine monitoring.
• Trend results by facility, area, zone, organism, sample site, and recurrence; identify emerging patterns, repeat findings, potential niches, traffic-related risks, and opportunities for preventive action.
• Lead or support root-cause investigations involving sanitation, water intrusion, condensation, construction, maintenance work, traffic flow, equipment condition, dust, drains, or other environmental risk factors.
• Partner with Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, and Quality to ensure cleaning, repairs, containment, and preventive actions are completed, documented, and verified for effectiveness.
• Conduct routine plant walks and risk assessments to identify new or changing sample sites, hygienic-design concerns, harborage points, and environmental conditions that may affect product safety.
• Prepare EMP summaries, trend reports, performance metrics, and open-action updates for Quality and plant leadership.
• Support SQF, customer, regulatory, and internal audits by maintaining organized, audit-ready EMP records and explaining program design, execution, findings, and corrective actions.
• Review and recommend updates to EMP procedures, work instructions, forms, maps, sampling frequencies, and training materials based on risk, results, facility changes, and audit findings.
• Coordinate laboratory supplies, sampling materials, shipping needs, and related inventory; work with approved laboratories to resolve submission, testing, or reporting issues.
• Provide coverage and hands-on support at either facility as program needs require, including occasional off-shift, weekend, or urgent response support.
• Promote a food-safety culture that encourages prompt reporting, disciplined follow-through, accurate documentation, and continuous improvement.

Education and Experience

• Two or more years of experience in food, feed, pet food, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Hands-on experience with environmental monitoring, microbiological sampling, sanitation verification, quality systems, or laboratory coordination strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of GMPs and food-safety systems; HACCP, PCQI, SQF, or environmental monitoring training is preferred.
• Experience reviewing data, identifying trends, managing corrective actions, and maintaining controlled records is preferred
• Associate or bachelor's degree in microbiology, food science, biology, chemistry, quality, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and electronic recordkeeping or quality-management systems.
• Ability to interpret laboratory reports, recognize abnormal or recurring results, and organize a structured investigation and follow-up plan

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, and perform other physical activities required in a manufacturing environment.
• Climb and descend stairs and ladders safely and routinely, including accessing elevated work areas and equipment.
• Ability to safely operate or work from a scissor lift to access elevated equipment and production areas for inspection, verification, and environmental or sanitation sampling
• Maintain balance and stability while working on elevated platforms, stairs, ladders, and uneven or wet surfaces, as applicable.
• Work in varying environmental conditions, including areas that may be hot, cold, wet, humid, noisy, or subject to temperature fluctuations.

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NOTICE - BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Barrett Petfood is committed to a safe workplace for all of our employees.

In connection with your employment with the Company, notice is hereby given that a
consumer report and/or investigative consumer report may be obtained from a
consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. These reports may contain
information about your character, general reputation, personal characteristics and mode
of living, whichever are applicable. They may involve personal interviews with sources
such as your neighbors, friends or associates. The reports may also contain information
about you relating to your criminal history, credit history, driving and/or motor vehicle
records, education or employment history or other background checks.
You have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable time after the receipt
of this notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative
consumer report. The scope of this notice and authorization is not limited to the present
and, if you are hired, will continue throughout the course of your employment and allow
the Company to conduct future screenings for retention, promotion or reassignment, as
permitted by law unless revoked by you in writing.