Food Safety Culture and Compliance Specialist

Title: Food Safety Culture & Compliance Specialist

• Onsite: Brampton
• Direct Reports: No
• Salary range: $70,000 -$80,000 base plus benefits

The Food Safety Culture & Compliance Specialist is a key leader responsible for embedding, strengthening, and championing food safety culture across a food manufacturing facility. This role ensures all food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements are consistently met while driving behavioral engagement through a structured Food Safety Culture Mentorship Program.

The Specialist promotes proactive risk awareness, continuous improvement, and cross-functional accountability, ensuring that food safety is understood, valued, and practiced at all levels of the organization.

Core Responsibilities

Food Safety Culture Leadership

• Serve as the Food Safety Culture Lead, championing behavioral expectations, positive reinforcement, and coaching.
• Facilitate a Food Safety Culture Mentorship Program, supporting mentors and mentees while tracking progress and strengthening leadership behaviors.
• Drive plant-wide engagement initiatives including culture campaigns, training, storytelling, and Gemba-style walks.
• Analyze data (near misses, audit results, non-conformance trends, behavioral observations) to identify gaps and implement targeted improvements.
• Provide monthly KPI reporting and audit readiness updates to leadership.
• Promote a “See Something, Say Something” culture with strong accountability and responsiveness.
• Facilitate cross-functional learning sessions across Operations, Sanitation, Warehouse, R&D, and Maintenance.

Food Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with key regulatory and certification standards (e.g., BRCGS, HACCP-based programs, SFCR, FDA, Kosher, Halal, and customer requirements).
• Act as the Lead Internal Auditor, managing and executing the internal audit program.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured methodologies (e.g., 5-Why, cause & effect, barrier analysis).
• Support audit readiness and participate in all external audits and inspections.
• Coordinate third-party inspections and certifications as required.
• Oversee verification programs, environmental monitoring, and data trending.
• Conduct annual vulnerability and risk assessments for raw materials and packaging.
• Manage food safety tools and equipment (e.g., metal-detectable items).
• Lead monthly food safety meetings and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Training & Learning Program Leadership

• Act as the lead administrator of the company’s internal learning platform, ensuring it is current, organized, and aligned with food safety and training priorities.
• Maintain and update all Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory training materials, ensuring accuracy, version control, and compliance.
• Develop and deliver engaging training programs across multiple formats (in-person, digital modules, toolbox talks, micro-learning).
• Incorporate real-world examples and behavior-based learning principles to strengthen engagement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure training reflects operational realities.
• Serve as a role model trainer, simplifying complex concepts for employees at all levels.
• Coach leaders through mentorship programs to reinforce accountability and continuous improvement.
• Continuously enhance training content and tools to support retention and capability building.

Service & Supplier Management

• Verify compliance and performance of external service providers.
• Review supplier reports and ensure follow-up on action items.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions related to pest control and other service areas.
• Manage visitor protocols and ensure food safety compliance for site access.

Additional Responsibilities

• Inspect incoming returns or materials and communicate findings.
• Support regulatory documentation, new product approvals, and customer requests.
• Provide real-time support to Operations to identify and mitigate food safety risks.
• Ensure all activities align with product safety, quality, legality, and authenticity standards.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food safety, quality, or regulatory roles within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• High attention to detail, sense of urgency, and professionalism.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Flexibility to support business needs as required.

Key Strengths

Thoroughness

• High attention to detail in documentation, audits, and reporting.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Consistent follow-through on deliverables and deadlines.

Execution

• Adaptable in fast-paced, changing environments.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on practical solutions.
• Ability to make sound, risk-based decisions under pressure.

Collaboration

• Works effectively across departments to build a strong food safety culture.
• Shares knowledge and supports team development.
• Encourages diverse perspectives and teamwork.

Communication

• Communicates clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Translates technical requirements into practical actions.
• Open to feedback and active listening.

Leadership

• Acts as a visible champion of food safety culture.
• Leads training, audits, and improvement initiatives with confidence.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills.
• Drives continuous improvement and recognizes team success.

Working Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
• Physical requirements may include standing, walking, bending, and light lifting.
• Fully on-site role with regular interaction across production, warehouse, sanitation, and maintenance teams.