Quality Assurance Specialist

Summary Of Responsibilities

The Specialist, Quality Assurance is responsible for supporting and administrating programs and processes that ensure supplier excellence as it pertains to product quality assurance. This includes administration of a supplier monitoring program, specification development, product quality feedback, and the overall commercialization of new products. The Specialist, Quality Assurance will also be held accountable for maintaining required documentation from suppliers and working closely with the food safety team.

This position will also undertake strategic department projects, as needed, as time permits. This role reports to the Senior Manager, FSQA. The position will work closely with our culinary, operations, and food safety departments along with our external suppliers.

• Establish and implement quality standards for food, beverage, and packaging SKU’s
• Develop supplier relationships to reinforce communication and supplier excellence standards
• Administer supplier monitoring program to ensure product meets specification and provide feedback to suppliers from the supplier monitoring program
• Collaborate with suppliers on corrective and preventative measures to improve product quality
• Collaborate internally with Culinary and Operations throughout product development
• Oversee the commercialization process to ensure product meets expectations
• Attend first production runs to assess and approve production of new products
• Conduct product cuttings by scheduling, leading conversation, and providing proper assessment criteria to ensure unbiased review
• Collect, analyze, and distribute quality assurance data and reporting
• Provide feedback to the procurement team regarding supplier quality performance
• Conduct root cause analysis to investigate product quality complaints and work with suppliers on root causes and corrective actions
• Develop quality-guides that convey quality standards to restaurant team members
• Ensure required supplier documentation is received, reviewed, organized, and up to date
• Maintain supplier documents and approvals through Tracegains software
• Remain informed of new findings, knowledge, practices, and solutions related to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance

• 1-3+ years of relevant experience is required
• Food/beverage manufacturing experience preferred
• QSR or Fast Casual experience a plus

• B.S. or M.S degree in science: food safety, food science or related discipline is preferred

• Knowledge and understanding of product specifications
• Knowledge and understanding of modern food manufacturing
• Knowledge of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• PCQI training, preferred
• Serv Safe certification
• Tracegains software experience, preferred
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency
• Strong interpersonal, written, communication and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter: able to clarify ambiguity and create solutions in a fast-paced organization
• Solid project management skills with excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain composure under pressure
• Ability to work cross-functionally and build working relationships through collaboration, influence and negotiation to successfully accomplish a task
• Ability to work on tight deadlines in a fast-paced, team environment
• Must be computer proficient (MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)

• This position requires up to 15% travel to manufacturers and cafes, as needed.