Food Safety Specialist

The FSQA System Coordinator will be responsible for implementing and maintaining quality systems to ensure compliance with company, customer, and regulatory standards. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to monitor quality metrics, conducting audits, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards in the food industry are essential.

Responsibilities:

Develop and implement quality systems and procedures in line with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and customer specifications.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish and monitor quality metrics, driving continuous improvement efforts.

Conduct internal audits to assess compliance with quality standards and identify improvement areas.

Manage documentation of quality processes, including creating and maintaining SOPs and work instructions.

Review and sign off on all HACCP/CCP documentation through Redzone Compliance Software.

Coordinate and facilitate GFSI, customer, or regulatory audits and follow up on CAPAs within timelines.

Investigate and resolve food safety or quality issues through root cause analysis and implementing CAPAs.

Maintain and manage customer requirements and documents, including completing customer questionnaires via email or web portals.

Coordinate HACCP team meetings and provide training and support on quality systems and procedures.

Collaborate with suppliers to ensure documentation accuracy and annual updates in TraceGains software.

Approve new suppliers/raw materials and manage Kosher set-up.

Coordinate and facilitate biannual mock recall/trace exercises and conduct CAPAs for non-compliance.

Stay updated with industry trends, regulations, and best practices in food safety and quality management systems.

Support the development of a culture of quality and continuous improvement.

Assist Regulatory and Quality Assurance Manager with special projects.

Perform additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge & Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in food science, quality management, or a related field preferred; equivalent work experience considered.

Minimum 2+ years of experience in auditing and food safety or quality assurance.

Required certifications: SQF Practitioner, HACCP, PCQI.

Proven experience in implementing and maintaining quality management systems, preferably in the food industry.

In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., FDA, HACCP, GMP, SQF).

Strong understanding of food safety principles and practices, including allergen control, sanitation, and traceability.

Experience in conducting audits, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Proficient in using computer software and systems for data analysis, documentation, and reporting.