Company Overview:

A career at Whole Foods Market is more than just the work you do it's about your personal growth and creating meaningful change. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. That means improving how people eat, funding grants for school gardens, providing access to fresh and healthy food to people living within food deserts, alleviating poverty in developing countries, and so much more. Working with us means you are making a difference within your community and beyond. We aren't just a grocery store: we're world-changers. And with your help, we will continue to set the standards of excellence and revolutionize the grocery industry.

Role and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibility of the FSQA Associate Team Leader (ATL) is to support the FSQA Team Leader in supervising the FSQA team and ensuring quality controls at the metro food production facility, including upholding sanitation and safety regulations.

• Partner with the FSQA Team Leader to lead daily operations of the FSQA team, assigning tasks, providing training, and ensuring standards are met.
• Aid in the management of quality assurance initiatives and practices to ensure the consistency and excellence of products.
• Maintain quality assurance measures for raw materials, materials in transition, and final products.
• Coordinate environmental monitoring and swabbing campaigns to meet GMP, HACCP, and FSMA requirements.
• Maintain and improve the Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) through ongoing monitoring and cross-training within the team.
• Help leaders supervise the Pest Control Program.
• Enforce compliance with health, sanitation, and safety requirements.
• Monitor and record quality assurance and food safety efforts with daily audits to ensure accuracy.
• Support crisis management, including handling recalls and contamination incidents.
• Assist in evaluation, recruitment, development, and guidance of team members to build a successful team.
• Assist leadership and HR in team relations, investigations, and resolution strategies.
• Comply with regulatory standards including OSHA, USDA, HACCP, FSMA, ADA, FDA, and Weights and Measures.
• Provide leadership support for managing quality-related issues internally and externally, including interactions with USDA and FDA inspection teams.
• Follow Whole Foods Market, USDA, and HACCP guidelines, engaging regularly with USDA inspectors to ensure compliance.
• Create a positive workplace environment that values collaboration and respect.

Mandatory Requirements and Expertise:

• BA/BS degree in food science, microbiology, food technology, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and FSQA experience in food production.
• Extensive experience in FSQA facility operations (18 months) and managerial FSQA responsibilities in food production (6 months).
• Awareness of local, state, and federal food safety requirements.
• Expertise in executing and managing food safety and quality assurance programs.
• Ability to conduct audits and inspections to verify compliance.
• Capability to analyze data from quality evaluations, audits, and inspections effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify potential risks.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Basic understanding of ERP systems in food processing and packaging.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and ability to work independently.
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers, and regulatory entities.
• Commitment to Whole Foods Market's mission of nourishing people and the planet.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• HACCP certification.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Hourly salary range of $27.00 $45.50, based on experience.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Retirement plan benefits.
• Eligibility for store discounts.
• Paid time off.
• Additional benefits based on the Whole Benefits plan applicable at the time of hire.

Demands Related to Physical Capabilities and Working Circumstances:

• Ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Compliance with attire policy and use of prescribed personal protective equipment.
• Ability to perform essential duties with or without accommodations.
• Hands used for grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to bend, twist, crouch, and reach as needed.
• Exposure to FDA-approved disinfectants.
• Ability to work in freezing, refrigerated, and high-temperature environments.
• Ability to work effectively in wet and dry conditions.
• Use of ladders as required.

About Whole Foods Market:

Whole Foods Market is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture and provides fair employment opportunities to all team members, regardless of gender identity or any legally protected characteristic. Hiring and promotion decisions are based on qualifications and business needs. While the company partners with popular job platforms, candidates are encouraged to apply through the official Whole Foods Market Careers site to ensure accuracy and avoid fraudulent postings.