On the Move: Goya Foods expansion boosts hiring, relocation – Houston Chronicle

On the Move: Goya Foods expansion boosts hiring, relocation

By Michelle Sandlin | September 20, 2013

Goya Foods of Texas executives are excited about the expansion of the company’s production facilities.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

Goya Foods of Texas is a great example of a company that has made a huge commitment and investment in the Houston area.

The company is currently expanding its production facilities in Waller County, where it will open its new factory in the coming weeks. As with most company expansions, this means hiring and relocating of employees to work at the new Goya facility.

Much excitement continues to mount for Goya, as the company prepares for the grand opening of this new state-of-the-art facility.

«The facility in Texas will mark Goya’s most technologically advanced and state-of-the-art facility,» Evelio Fernandez, vice president of Goya Foods of Texas, said.

To manage and operate the new Houston facility, Fernandez said the company has relocated a significant number of its senior staff.

One of the key people that they relocated to the Houston area is general manager, Luz Damaris Rosario, who moved to Houston from Goya’s operation in Puerto Rico.

Fernandez said Goya has brought quite a few other employees from Puerto Rico, especially those who specialize in this type of manufacturing facility.

«There are many technical jobs, as well as engineers, food chemists, and others involved in the food manufacturing side who we have relocated to the Houston area,» he said.

Goya also has relocated employees from other locations, as well as hiring locally to fill some of the company’s new positions.

According to Fernandez, Goya currently employs approximately 130 people in Houston and anticipates adding at least 50 new positions as part of its expansion plans.

«We expect to add 50 new jobs in Houston,» he said. «We are still hiring and looking for good, qualified people and people who are trainable. Once the operation gears up, we know that there will be additional new hires.»

In terms of their employee and relocation benefits, Fernandez said that Goya tries to stay very competitive. He said Houston has really been an easy sell, even to those employees that are moving from picturesque Puerto Rico.

«Everybody wants to move to Texas,» he said. «Houston has made for such a great diverse city because it is able to provide a lot of those things that are important to people moving in, particularly for our Puerto Rican group.

«This is partly because Houston is a great city. The cost of living in Houston is very favorable, and then, of course, there are the people.

«The team that makes up Goya Foods of Texas is an exceptional team, and people want to come to Houston to work with the team here. Then, they also get the opportunity to work at this really amazing new facility.»

Fernandez said Goya Foods’ employees from Puerto Rico brought their culture with them to Houston, and that being multi-cultural is an important aspect of the company’s culture and heritage.

«One of the things that makes Goya who we are is that we are multi-cultural. We have products that range from Caribbean, Peruvian, Mexican, South American, Latin Fusion, and so do our people,» he said.

Fernandez said that Goya’s strategic expansion in Texas, as well as the company’s expansions in other markets, with these new state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution centers, is representative of the future growth of the company.

Goya is a privately owned company, and Fernandez emphasizes that it operates much like a family.

«We are a very hands-on company, so we relocated two of our fourth-generation upcoming executives to Houston. They are family members of the company’s founder,» Fernandez said.

This adds literal meaning to the fact that Goya calls themselves, «La Gran Familia Goya.»

Goya is planning a big grand opening event on Nov. 14. This will give the company an opportunity to showcase its new state-of-the-art facility to vendors, clients, consumers, and other special invited guests.

Soon thereafter, Goya plans to offer field trips to the new facility.

Fernandez said that this will enable them to show kids how the manufacturing process works, as well as to help educate the general public about all the people involved and all of the steps in the production and distribution process that are necessary in getting Goya products onto grocery store shelves.

Michelle Sandlin has been involved in the relocation industry since 2000. She serves as Vice President/President-Elect for Houston Relocation Professionals and is Vice President/Director of Communication & Marketing for Chicago Title. Send questions/comments to: michelle.sandlin@me.com. Connect with Michelle on Facebook:www.facebook.com/HoustonRelocation and on Twitter: @MichelleSandlin. Also visit «On the Move – Exploring Houston Relocation with Michelle Sandlin» atblog.chron.com/onthemove.

If you have something to share or contribute, please send an email to michelle.sandlin@me.com. Please look for another Michelle Sandlin «On the Move» relocation article in today’s Homes section.

http://www.chron.com/jobs/article/On-the-Move-Goya-Foods-expansion-boosts-hiring-4830610.php