About LiDestri Food and Drink

LiDestri Food and Drink has grown from our roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer to become an R&D engine, formulating and producing innovative food and beverage products for our national and retailer brand partners. A family-run company based in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs over 1,200 people across five U.S. locations. We have decades-long partnerships with some of the most respected consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and the most highly inventive retailer brands.

Excellent Pay and Benefits:

• Great career-pathing

• Professional development, including unlimited online training courses

• Health insurance with premium contributions

• Dental, vision, HSA

• 100% company paid life insurance and long-term disability

• 401k – with employer match

• Paid time off to include- vacation, sick pay, wellness time off, and 10 holidays

• Company bonuses

• And many more….

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide leadership as the Thermal Process subject matter expert and resource for LiDestri Food and Drink. This position is accountable for all Thermal Process development, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement, and safety systems ensuring all facilities are operating in compliance with FDA, USDA and CFIA regulatory requirements. Responsible to develop a strong Thermal Processing team and train Operations and Quality team members in all aspects relating to Thermally Process Foods.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accountable for the safety of all thermally processed foods with clear understanding of the FDA, USDA and CFIA regulations, including hot fill pH controlled, low acid and high-pressure pasteurization processes

• Creates, develops, reviews, and owns the Commercial Sterility processes based on scientific principles to produce safe and high-quality products and provide process instructions to preserve/process products. Ultimate decision maker on product safety and release

• Responsible for all formulation, ingredient, packaging, and processing changes and creates a Thermal Processes design ensuring Commercially Sterilize all products

• Determines product classifications and which products require and do not require FDA, CFIA or USDA filing

• Manages all original process development files, process deviation files, and regulatory process filing files for regulatory compliance

• Audits, reviews, and updates all thermal processing forms at all factories

• Audits, reviews, and trains all Quality Record Reviewers and Retort Operators ensuring compliance to all forms and thermal processes

• Evaluate and introduce new process technologies for innovation and safety enhancement. This includes new commercial sterility equipment, alternate retort packaging

• Organizes team to organize, conduct and review production equipment audits ensuring Pasteurization and Sterilization equipment are functioning properly

• Initiate and enforce corrective action for thermal process issues where required

• Writes and approves Corporate Quality Thermal Processing and Food Safety Guidelines

• Organizes factory audits ensuring Commercially Sterility in Low Acid and Acidified Foods are being met. Create training or CAPA’s to ensure guideline compliance

• Develops process metrics anticipating potential problems and recognizing existing problems that may impact efficiency, product safety and quality

• Reviews and audits acidified, low acid, and HPP HACCP Plans at all factories. Assist in interpretation of HACCP and related government regulations. Approves Foods Safety “Pre-requisite HACCP Programs” as corporate function. Audits include the HACCP Plan (pre-requisites) at least annually and whenever any changes occur that could affect its hazard analysis or alter the HACCP plan

• Has the authority to stop Operations when food safety is a concern

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Thermal Processing Determinations Diploma required

• Recognized as a Thermal Process Authority by peers, subject matter experts and/or regulatory agencies such as FDA, USDA or CFIA

• BS/BA degree in Engineering or relevant science area

• 10+ years’ experience in pH control or low acid processes with a strong knowledge of Thermal Processing equipment, loggers, software and related equipment

• Experience with NumeriCAL® software

• Proven track record on thermally processed foods, analyzing and release of commercially sterile products

• Ability to communicate and train personnel on installing and use of Thermal Processing Equipment

• Membership in Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists (IFTPS) preferred

• Possess HACCP and SQF certification with 5 years minimum experience

• Understanding of Microbiology, Physics, Mathematics, Chemical analysis, Sanitation, Pest Control, QC function and tests, R&D function and testing

• Excellent communication and leadership skills to work closely with all departments and management levels

• Strong attention to detail

• General computer proficiency (Word, Excel, etc.)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to:

• Long periods of standing/moving, working around moving mechanical parts/conveyors

• Loud environment, hot/cold, wet/dry conditions

• Lifting/carrying <50 pounds

• Frequent reaching/pulling/climbing stairs/stooping/kneeling/bending

  Employee Value Proposition

Our purpose and our promise is to actively nourish at every touchpoint; this starts with nourishing our workforce and extends to nourishing our many communities. We provide a safe and respectful environment, meaningful careers, awesome benefits, a world class wellness program… all of which inspire unity and collaboration amongst our LiDestri “family”.

DISCLAIMER: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.