Position Summary
The Quality Assurance Specialist owns day-to-day quality oversight on the floor and serves as the link between FSQA and every operating department. This role monitors routine operations, drives audit readiness and execution across all certification and regulatory schemes, maintains the quality system and its documentation, trains employees, and closes gaps in operations and services.
Essential Functions
Include, but are not limited to the following:
Quality Systems & Regulatory Compliance
- Aid in implementation and maintenance of quality assurance policies, procedures, and the SQF system, including document control and annual review.
- Serve as designated backup to the SQF Practitioner, representing senior site management in ensuring the system remains effective.
- Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including 21 CFR Parts 117 and 101, FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification, and CDPH requirements.
- Maintain documentation and traceability supporting all facility certifications, including organic, non-GMO, and kosher programs.
- Set and enforce standards for health, safety, and legal compliance throughout the facility.
Audits & Corrective Action
- Take part in preparation for all audits and inspections; certification, customer, regulatory, and internal.
- Own the internal audit program: schedule, conduct, document findings, assign corrective actions, and verify closure.
- Conduct root cause analysis on defects, deviations, customer complaints, and non-conformances, and track corrective action plans to effective closure.
- Maintain continuous audit readiness through ongoing GMP, sanitation, and documentation verification.
- Support crisis management, mock recall, and product withdrawal activities.
Daily Operations
- Perform routine inspections, quality tests, collect samples for customer complaint investigations, and in-process verification across all shifts and lines.
- Monitor incoming raw materials, packaging, and finished goods against specification; place product on hold and initiate disposition when specifications are not met.
- Interpret data to identify quality deviations and their causes; resolve workflow and production issues in real time and escalate as appropriate.
- Ensure accurate, consistent documentation of manufacturing activities, facilities, and equipment before product is released.
Cross-Functional Liaison & Training
- Serve as the primary point of contact between FSQA and Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, Warehouse, Receiving, Purchasing, Scheduling, and Customer Service, and represent FSQA in operations meetings.
- Translate regulatory, customer, and certification requirements into executable instructions for operating departments.
- Present issues, supporting data, and recommended solutions to the QA Manager, including recommendations for process and system improvement.
- Update training materials and operating manuals, as needed; deliver training on GMPs, food safety, allergen control, sanitation, and documentation practices, and verify effectiveness.
Position Requirements:
Job Experience / Requirements
Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive quality assurance experience in food, beverage, or comparable regulated manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience supporting or leading GFSI-scheme audits, SQF preferred.
- Working knowledge of HACCP; PCQI certification preferred, or obtainable within the first 6 months.
- Experience with organic, non-GMO, or kosher programs preferred; oils, fats, liquid packaging, or import/re-pack operations a plus.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability to determine root cause and define effective corrective action.
- Clear communication across all levels and departments, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
- Sound independent judgment within defined authority; able to make and defend quality decisions under production pressure.
- Strong organization and prioritization while managing multiple detailed tasks and deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ERP and document control system experience preferred.
Join our team as a Quality Assurance Specialist, where your expertise will help uphold the highest standards of product safety and quality!
Pay: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
