Specialist, FSQA

Title: Specialist, FSQA (Back-Up SQF Practitioner/Food Safety Leader)

Primary Tasks:

• Provide management support for the efficient operation of a multi-shift quality control laboratory. Act as primary back-up for QA Manager.
• Maintain organization of the laboratory supplies, ingredients, documents. Order and maintain adequate laboratory supplies.
• Record review of daily production and QC documentation.
• Review and approve updates, modifications or changes in the procedures for batch sheets.
  1. Assist Innovation with ingredient documentation when needed for claims purposes (organic, gluten free, etc.)
• Communicate directives and provide instruction on sanitation, GMPs, food safety, and quality control.
• Conduct QA checks throughout the warehouse and processing areas for compliance to SOPs and GMPs.
• Providing supervision of sanitation procedures and methods.
• Generate technical reports in support of production and other departments as needed.
• Conduct routine and non-routine laboratory testing to support production activities.
• Review outside analytical results and make decisions about product disposition/release.
• Participate in the coaching, training, and mentoring of laboratory and production personnel.
• Assist in the completion and implementation of finished product specifications.
• Support internal audit program, including food safety, food defense, environmental, other.
• Support customer and SQF audit preparation; provide coaching and drive corrective action initiatives.
• Evaluate ingredients and ensure quality raw materials are received.
• Ensure traceability of raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods
• Maintain CoA process for releasing raw materials.
• Support or manage rework process flow and determination of release.
• Support or manage close expiration and raw material extension.
• Support or manage refrigeration and frozen raw material inventory processes.
• Provide expertise on existing FSQA & sanitation programs; suggest, develop and implement new programs as needed.
• Participate in mock recalls, crisis assessments, and challenge events, including food fraud & food defense/security.
• Contribute to and participate in supplier, co-packer, and material verification and approval processes.
• Advise plant operations & executive leadership teams on relevant FSQA matters and suggest/lead continuous improvement initiatives as appropriate.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to Manager, Quality Assurance

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or other relevant degree. Associate’s degree may be considered.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a FSQA leadership role.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to train, mentor, and develop team members.
• HACCP certification preferred – or able and willing to become HACCP certified.
• PCQI certification preferred – or able and willing to become PCQI certified.
• SQF Practitioner experience preferred – or able and willing to become SQF Practitioner.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing and quality management systems.
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with TraceGains, TrustWell, RedZone, or similar nutrition/production/supplier/quality management digital platforms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with all levels within the organization and with suppliers.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.

Other:

• Position location: On-site in Winston-Salem, NC.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts, as required.