Quality Assurance Specialist

Summary

The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for implementing and monitoring food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs. This position performs inspections, testing, documentation review, and verification activities to ensure products meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensures GMPs, HACCP, Food Safety & Quality, SSOP & SQF standards are met in all areas of USDA/FDA processing
• Works closely with Operations, Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Management to maintain food safety and quality programs
• Willing to learn SQF regulations (Safe Quality Food), animal welfare and biosecurity (as applicable) as part of company and industry standards
• Maintains quality assurance paperwork with accuracy
• Verifies, monitors, and reviews daily paperwork generated during operations to assure compliance
• Performs daily, weekly and monthly audits or inspections
• Performs product and environmental testing along with verifications
• Pulls product samples for evaluation and testing in onsite laboratory
• Administers hold and release policies & directs handling of out of specification products
• Facilitate timely, corrective, and preventative actions including but not limited to daily non-conformities/deviations, internal and external audit findings, and complaints
• Report food safety and quality issues to plant management
• Assist Manager with special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Assurance, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Previous food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Previous quality assurance, laboratory, or food safety experience preferred.
• Experience in RTE (Ready-to-Eat) foods, meat, dairy, egg products, or beverage manufacturing is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and food safety regulations.
• SQF, HACCP, Internal Auditor, PCQI certifications a plus.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to complete accurate documentation.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Demands
Stand and walk constantly; grip, grasp, push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, lift up to 10 pounds frequently; sit, climb, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Work Environment

Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and water, and chemicals. Temperature is regulated for operations standards. Cooler temperatures occur in specific areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proper personal protective equipment will be required during certain working conditions. Employees are required to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) due to working in a food manufacturing environment (hairnets, clean clothes, etc.).