Food Safety & Quality Manager

At Pluck'd, we're building a massive, state-of-the-art, 65-acre greenhouse in Carroll County, Virginia - a facility designed to revolutionize how fresh produce is grown and delivered. While our first tomatoes won't roll off the vine until 2026, we need a Food Safety & Quality Manager now to establish the systems and standards that will guide our production, packaging, and distribution operations for years to come.

This role will ensure that Pluck'd meets and exceeds federal, state, and industry food safety requirements, with a strong focus on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). You'll lead food safety and quality management programs, oversee audits, and partner with teams across the organization to build a proactive, prevention-driven food safety culture. As production ramps up, you'll scale our quality systems to support growth while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FSMA, including Preventive Controls for Human Food, Produce Safety Rule, and traceability requirements.

• Stay up to date with state and federal regulations, anticipating and preparing for changes that impact greenhouse operations.

• Prepare and submit required regulatory documentation, including facility registrations, audit responses, and compliance reports.

• Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and external stakeholders.

• Build positive relationships with state departments of agriculture, FDA representatives, and industry partners.

Audits & Quality Management Systems

• Lead FDA, state, and third-party food safety audits.

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) at the facility level.

• Ensure thorough documentation and recordkeeping to support traceability and compliance requirements.

• Create regular reports and dashboards to track compliance activities, audit status, and corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with cultivation, packaging, and distribution teams to embed food safety practices into daily operations.

• Provide training and guidance to internal teams to ensure understanding and compliance with food safety standards.

• Lead investigations and root cause analyses for any food safety or quality incidents.

• Work closely with operations leadership to foster continuous improvement across all quality programs.

Qualifications & Skills:

Must-Have:

· Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, regulatory affairs, or related field (equivalent experience or certifications may be considered).

· 3+ years of experience in a regulatory or quality assurance role within the food sector.

· Deep understanding of FSMA and GFSI schemes such as PrimusGFS, SQF, BRC, or GlobalG.A.P.

· Experience leading FDA or third-party food safety audits.

· Knowledge of facility sanitation, environmental monitoring, and pest control programs.

· Strong verbal and written communication skills.

· Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.

· Experience leading incident investigations and managing cross-functional teams.

Preferred (but not required):

· Advanced certifications or graduate-level education in regulatory affairs or food safety.

· Spanish language skills.

· Familiarity with Canadian food safety regulations for potential export readiness.

· Experience with food safety software platforms or digital QMS tools.

Why Join Pluck'd:

Pluck'd is on a mission to grow produce differently - smarter, fresher, and more sustainably. Joining now means you'll help shape a company that values innovation and exceptional service from the very start.

Here's what you can look forward to:

• Competitive pay and performance-based incentive programs

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Sick Leave

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Options

• Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)

• Overtime Pay where applicable

• Uniforms provided and cleaned at no cost

• A culture built around safety, respect, and growth for every team member

• The excitement of helping launch one of the region's most advanced greenhouse facilities

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on role and employment status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We celebrate diversity, creativity, and fresh ideas. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other protected status.