QA Scientist

Job Summary

Empire Marketing Strategies is the leading expert in the food brokerage industry and supports the Grocery, Meat/Seafood, Deli/Bakery and Produce suppliers for Kroger and the Kroger family of companies.

Empire Marketing Strategies is hiring an Our Brands QA Scientist who will provide technical leadership to assure product safety and quality of Kroger Corporate Brand products. They will work to closely with Kroger team and assist in approving Corporate Brand products and supplier plants and ensure all packaging meets legal requirements. Additionally, the technologist will monitor the quality of the procured Corporate Brand products.

Essential Job Functions

• Approve procured products and the plants that make the products.
• Monitor the quality of procured products and address quality issues including working with recall coordinator.
• Work with the CFT Sensory group to organize panels and coordinate the delivery and preparation of product samples.
• Keep up with changes in targets by working closely with vendors and Corporate Brands.
• Analyze customer comments and resolve issues with vendors.
• Provide leadership in working with Kroger Our Brands and Retail in resolving product quality issues.
• Follow labeling regulations (nutrition, ingredients, COOL, warnings, etc.) that will affect the products and confirm or change product information on the package so that it is in compliance.
• Review and proofread product label proofs to ensure they meet NLEA Regulations, working with the CFT Regulatory group as necessary.
• Work with the dieticians at the Call Center to ensure customer questions are properly researched and addressed.
• Prepare and maintain finished product specification documents.
• Train and work with other Corporate Food Technology personnel as potential back up.
• Partner with Kroger staff to get audits planned and executed properly.
• Assess daily tasks and achieve them in a timely manner.
• Be able to handle multiple projects for multiple customers at the same time.
• Travel to visit/inspect vendors’ plants and attend professional meetings.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• Four-year college degree in Food Science/Technology or related fields; i.e., Food Science, Dairy Science, Bakery Science, Food Microbiology or equivalent required
• Working knowledge of the following computer programs: Microsoft Suite and Lotus Notes
• Ability to communicate clearly and directly both inside and outside of the organization.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.