Job Title: QA Specialist Job Description The Quality Assurance Specialist provides support and continuous improvement to the Company’s Quality Food Safety Management System (QMS). This position is responsible for leading efforts involved in continuous improvements, process control development, and sanitation. The critical technical function is to assist the QA Department Head to execute projects, develop, record, implement, maintain, provide training and ensure effectiveness of site’s food safety and quality functions. The individual must have a quality conscious attitude with emphasis towards a teamwork approach to accomplish project goals and implement solutions to problems. The individual will work independently, be able to multitask, recommend solutions and provide technical expertise based on the quality process from the early stages of manufacturing to the end. This position also carries the responsibility to mentor and influence team members in a professional manner and promote a culture of Food Safety among all team members and associates. Responsibilities + Serve as the company's primary SQF Practitioner. + Conduct regular audits and inspections and report results with CAPA plan in the monthly SQF meeting. + Maintain accurate records and documentation related to SQF Compliance and ensure the facility audit readiness and compliance with SQF standards and State and Federal Regulatory requirements. + Lead all efforts pertaining to sanitation and ensuring sanitation cleaning assignments are performed and documented. + Create, update, and maintain Master Cleaning Schedule and Sanitation SOPs as needed. Inspect premises for unsanitary practices and conditions and report to management. Verify cleaning solutions and sanitizers concentrations are correct. + Serve as the primary point of contact with third party lab regarding microbiological sampling data, including scheduling, coordinating and documenting testing results. Collect facility environmental swabs according to site microbiological sampling plan to validate and verify effectiveness of sanitation and GMP programs. + Responsible for timely completion of scheduled equipment calibrations, ordering of sanitation supplies, uniforms, QA Lab supplies. + Responsible for training new hire and current employees and ensuring employee training matrix is completed. + Responsible for completing various QMS reports including weekly, monthly, quarterly and/or annual QA reports (e.g., KPI, trend analysis, lab expenses). + Review food safety and quality records including but not limited to FGs, Packaging and RMs specifications, COAs, EMPs, Production/WH records, Labels, Sanitation records. Verify that production documentation adheres to site document control policy and correct formulations and processing parameters are met pre and post production in order to support site’s positive release program. + Place non-conforming products, packaging and/or equipment on Hold that do not meet specifications and recommend solutions to the issue. + Monitor and verify operational, quality and critical control points (CCPs) according to the facility’s HACCP program, verify line clearance and QA sign-off (labels, lot code, BBD, scale verification). + Create, update, and maintain FSQA standard operating procedures (SOPs), forms and registers. + Assist with investigation, follow-up, and logging of customer complaints. Identify root cause and implement corrective and preventive action plans. + Perform pre-operational, change-over and/or allergen change-over inspections with operations and sanitation team. Utilize ATP swabs and allergen swabs according to the site’s allergen control and sanitation plan to validate and verify effectiveness of allergen-related sanitation activities. + Coordinate with operations and R&D team on aged and short code products for re-work including dissemination of work instructions, shelf-life extension evaluation and assuring re-work team members adhere to GMPs. + Collect ingredients and finished good samples according to the site’s sampling program. Document and communicate results to appropriate internal teams to support efficient production and disposition of ingredients and finished products according to third party testing results. Maintain site ingredient/raw material and finished product retention library. Coordinate with R&D to optimize retention program. + Assure that production team members are correctly performing monitoring activities through routine (daily) production floor audits of records, CCP and weight checks, labels and adhering to GMPs and Safety protocols. + Provide assistance for verifying product claims (Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher, Nutritional, Fair Trade, Ingredient Statements, etc.) and assist in maintaining certification documentation for these certifying bodies. + Be present for audits by third parties, customers, regulatory bodies and certifying agencies (FDA, CCOF, Kosher, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free). + Provide assistance and work with Production, Procurement, Warehouse, R&D, Sales and Marketing to identify root cause and resolve quality issues for the implementation of HACCP, SQF and other food safety initiatives. + Perform traceability exercises on requested product(s) and lead mock traceability exercises. + Communicate, document and log process deviations / nonconformances as they occur. Assist in root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of process deviations and failures, including those resulting in consumer complaints. + Provide ongoing updates to Sr. QA Manager and/or CEO on product observations, analytical results, and quality and/or food safety issues. + Assume Sr. QA Manager duties during her/his absence. Essential Skills + Training and/or certification in HACCP, PCQI, FSMA, SQF and other GFSI schemes (BRC, FSSC, ISO, etc.) strongly preferred. + 2+ years’ work experience in quality assurance, compliance and/or regulatory in a food, confectionery or beverage manufacturing setting. + BS degree in food science, chemistry or other related technical field a plus. + Passionate about food safety and quality and working in a team environment. + Attention to detail and highly developed organizational and document control skills are a must. + Ability to identify and communicate issues and solutions to management within a fast-paced office and production environment. + Knowledge of Internal Auditing, SOP creation, Federal and State Regulatory Requirements and Food Legislations, National Organic Program, Kosher, Fair Trade, Product Label Claims, Genesis Software. + Strong leadership and project management skills. + Ability to mentor, communicate and influence others in a professional way. + Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required, Spanish a plus. + Must be comfortable travelling on occasion for supplier audit. + Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PPT, etc.). Experience using ERP systems is a plus. Additional Skills & Qualifications + Knowledge of Internal Auditing, SOP creation, Federal and State Regulatory Requirements and Food Legislations, National Organic Program, Kosher, Fair Trade, Product Label Claims, Genesis Software. + Experience using ERP systems is a plus. Work Environment + Office, Production and Warehouse setting. + Must be able to position self and move around 30 pounds repetitively with or without reasonable accommodation. + Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation. + Exposure to temperatures that range from freezing to sub-freezing (coolers, freezers, etc.) with or without reasonable accommodation. + Must be able to move around and transport items, by adjusting the position to complete the specific tasks; repetitive use of hands with or without reasonable accommodation. + Regular Physical attendance is an essential function of the position. + Ability to work weekends or holiday season(s) on as needed basis or when warranted by business needs. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $36.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)• Short and long-term disability• Health Spending Account (HSA)• Transportation benefits• Employee Assistance Program• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Emeryville,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Feb 5, 2025. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through: + Hiring diverse talent + Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection + Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes + Ensuring growth opportunities for our people The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.