Food Safety Program Manager – Santa Maria, CA

About the Position:

The Food Safety Program Manager is a full-time, exempt position based in Santa Maria or Watsonville, CA. This in-person role leads training, outreach, and technical support to promote safe and sustainable strawberry production throughout California. Travel is required across the state.

As CSC’s lead technical expert on food safety, you will develop and deliver bilingual trainings, assist with regulatory guidance, and support growers, shippers, and processors with practical tools and solutions. This position is part of CSC’s five-person Grower Education Team, which also focuses on labor management and compliance, pest management, and production-related trainings and services.

Fluency in Spanish and English is essential, as the majority of outreach is conducted in Spanish.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead bilingual (English and Spanish) food safety training programs
• Build relationships with industry members and share updates on food safety standards
• Provide technical support during food safety-related events or product recalls
• Monitor and communicate regulatory changes to the industry
• Advocate for science-based alternatives when needed
• Develop technical materials, presentations, and online content
• Represent CSC in meetings with regulators (FDA, CDC), audit groups, and buyers
• Support additional outreach programs on compliance, worker safety, and pest management
• Respond to emerging food safety issues

Required Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in food safety, training, compliance, or related fields
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Agricultural Science, or similar
• Professional fluency in Spanish and English (spoken and written)
• Experience leading training sessions in Spanish
• Knowledge of food safety standards: FSMA, LGMA, GAPs, GMPs
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools
• Willingness to travel throughout California, including overnight
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and work in field settings
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to Santa Maria or Watsonville, CA

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or cross-cultural outreach
• Master’s degree in a related field
• Familiarity with PowerBI, Tableau, or ArcGIS
• Knowledge of labor compliance or worker training
• Experience creating digital or online learning content

Why Join Us?

Join a mission-driven team dedicated to supporting California strawberry farmers, shippers, and processors. In this role, you’ll help strengthen food safety practices, share timely insights, and promote continuous improvement across the industry while building meaningful relationships and making a statewide impact.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Vacation, sick, and holiday pay
• 457 retirement plan and profit-sharing
• Section 125 plan

Salary: $80k – $120k / Yearly

How to Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to jsharrett@calstrawberry.org
Subject: “Food Safety Program Manager”

Equal Employment Opportunity

The California Strawberry Commission is an equal opportunity employer and an E-Verify participant. We prohibit discrimination based on any protected category and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

https://sunnyskiesproduce.com/employer/california-strawberry-commission-jobs/

https://calstrawberry.com/

https://sunnyskiesproduce.com/