Quality Assurance Specialist
Position Summary:
Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist (includes Sr. Specialist)
The QA Specialist is responsible for ensuring all products meet company quality standards, regulatory requirements, food safety guidelines, and customer specifications. This role supports production operations through monitoring, auditing, testing, documentation, investigation of quality issues, and continuous improvement initiatives. The QA Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with FDA, AAFCO, HACCP, GMP, NASC, and SQF food safety standards while promoting a culture of quality throughout the facility.
Reporting Structure:
Reports To: QA/QC Manager
Works closely with: QMS, Production, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R&D and Regulatory Teams
Key Responsibilities:
Quality Assurance & Food Safety
- Monitor daily production activities to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
- Verify adherence to HACCP plans, GMPs, sanitation procedures, allergen controls, and preventive controls.
- Review of product sampling, testing, and environmental monitoring as required.
- Review production and quality records for accuracy and completeness.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA (if applicable), AAFCO, NASC, SQF, and customer requirements.
- Implementation and maintenance of SQF, or other food safety certification programs.
- Complete traceability exercises, mock recalls, and product hold/release procedures.
Documentation & Record Management
- Ensure accurate QA records, inspection logs, corrective action reports, and testing documentation.
- Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and supplier documentation to ensure compliance with Material Management and Supplier Quality Management Program(s).
- Report quality metrics, audit findings, and non-conformances.
- Ensure all documentation meets regulatory and internal retention requirements.
Auditing & Compliance
- Participate in internal, customer, and third-party audits.
- Conduct GMP and sanitation audits throughout the facility.
- Identify non-conformances and assist departments in implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Monitor compliance with SOPs and recommend process improvements.
Investigation & Problem Solving
- Investigate customer complaints, Quality Events, deviations, and Nonconformance(s).
- Assist in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Escalate food safety or quality concerns that may impact product integrity or regulatory compliance.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve operational efficiency.
Training & Collaboration
- Train employees on GMPs, food safety practices, sanitation, and quality procedures.
- Work closely with Production, Warehouse, Maintenance, R&D, and Supply Chain teams.
- Promote awareness of quality standards and food safety culture throughout the organization.
Leadership
- No supervisory responsibilities for this role.
Environmental Health and Safety
- Adhere to all company safety policies and procedures; actively support a safe and healthy work environment.
Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Follow all Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards to ensure product quality, integrity, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Decision-Making Authority & Criteria:
The QA Specialist is expected to make informed quality and food safety decisions based on regulatory requirements, company standards, and product risk assessment.
- The QA Specialist May:
- Place products or materials on hold when quality or food safety concerns are identified.
- Stop production processes that pose an immediate food safety risk.
- Approve or reject raw materials, packaging, or finished goods based on specifications.
- Recommend corrective actions for process deviations and non-conformances.
- Escalate unresolved quality concerns to Quality Management or Operations Leadership.
- Decision-Making Criteria Include:
- Compliance with FDA, AAFCO, HACCP, GMP, SQF, NASC, and customer standards.
- Product safety, legality, and quality risk.
- Laboratory results, inspection findings, and production data.
- Severity and frequency of deviations or defects.
- Potential impact on pets, consumers, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance.
Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements
- Associates degree with 7 years’ experience in food safety and quality in a manufacturing facility OR An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Working knowledge of pet food and/or animal feed regulations (FDA, AAFCO, NASC).
- GFSI Scheme experience, preferably SQF.
- Ability to travel between manufacturing locations is needed.
Preferred Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Life Science, or related discipline.
- HACCP certification or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification.
- SQF Practitioner certification or experience working in a GFSI-certified facility.
- 5+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, or food safety.
- Knowledge of laboratory methods, microbiological or analytical testing, and product specifications.
- Experience working in a food, beverage, pet food, or regulated manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with GMPs, HACCP principles, sanitation programs, and quality systems.
- Experience with inspections, audits, and documentation management.
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, and food ingredients.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 40 pounds as needed.
- Must be willing to work flexible schedules, including weekends or overtime when required.
- Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to sanitation procedures.
Required Skills and Competencies/KPIs
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.
- Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
- Strong understanding of food safety and quality systems.
- Intermediate Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data entry systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Audit readiness and compliance scores.
- Reduction in customer complaints and product defects.
- Timely completion of corrective actions.
