Senior FSQA Specialist (Production)

Job title:


Senior Food Safety QA (FSQA) Specialist (Production)




Department:


QA




Reports to:


FSQA Manager




Job 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.









Tasks





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
Minimum 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.