Job title:Senior Food Safety QA (FSQA) Specialist (Production)Department:QAReports to:FSQA ManagerJob overview:The FSQA Specialist is responsible for ensuring food safety and quality compliance across the facility. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and skilled in food safety systems with the ability to manage projects independently in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work on the production floor in an manufacturing environment on a daily basis.
Responsibilities: Training, Collaboration, Operational Support, Program Oversight & Documentation- Oversee Facility's FSQA programs (e.g. Foreign Material Control, Pest Control, Allergen Management, CAPAs, etc.) ensuring procedures are in place and comply with company and regulatory standards
- Conduct facility GMP inspections, oversee follow-up corrective actions and trends to ensure compliance with FSQA programs
- Oversee Facility's Food Safety Culture program and associated activities (e.g. employee surveys, Food Safety Bulletin board, One Point Lessons, food safety champion, Production Huddles, etc.)
- Responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and tracking finished product complaints, communicating adverse trends to cross functional teams; initiate root cause investigations and oversee associated corrective action implementation and verification activities as needed
- Act as a backup to the SQF practitioner and participate in SQF Management Review meetings
- Oversee Recipe Part 2 management and communicate findings to cross functional teams
- Partner with Production on troubleshooting day-to-day product quality, equipment, sanitation issues, etc.
- Participate in management of facility sanitation operational performance and 5S program
- Oversee execution of line trials (GTVs) for new material validations, equipment, Recipe Part 2 changes, etc.
- Audit food safety and quality processes as assigned to ensure compliance
- Assist with mock recalls and traces as needed
- Assist in recall response and execution alongside the Crisis Management Team as needed
- Support external audits (e.g., SQF, FDA) by providing required documentation and participating as needed
- Communicate FSQA information to cross functional teams through reports, meetings, and presentations as required
- Create, revise, and maintain food safety and quality documentation in collaboration with cross-functional teams as needed
- Provide employee coaching and training on food safety and quality best programs
- Drive continuous improvement in facility's food safety and quality programs and provide recommendations for food safety, quality, and sanitation processes and improvements
- Independently manage projects and execute tasks with minimal supervision
Other- Follow all company safety protocols and procedures.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support department and company goals.
- Flexible in working hours & days, depending on business need
- The role requires frequent and sometimes constant standing, walking, bending, stooping, and kneeling to monitor production lines and inspect various parts of the facility.
Qualifications:
- B.S. in Food Science, Biological Sciences, or related field required
- 8 + years of food industry, food safety & QA experience required
- Experience in a food manufacturing or production environment preferred; ability to work on the production floor and in a GMP-regulated setting.
- Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and application of food safety principles (ex: FSMA HACCP, GMPs, SQF, Allergens, Microbiology) required
- Experience with SQF or other GFSI schemes required
- HACCP and/or PCQI certification required
- Experience reviewing and writing policies and procedures required
- Experience with SQF or other GFSI schemes desired
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills
- Strong problem-solving skills and detail oriented
- Strong Microsoft Office Skills required
Confidentiality- The job holder is only allowed to share information with authorized persons: data and information specific to the department such as: business figures and -objectives, personnel data, salary information, statistics and analyses, pricing, customer and supplier information, terms and conditions, technical know-how of Schär and of suppliers, etc.
