The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Specialist plays a crucial role in managing the product lifecycle and ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. You will be responsible for independently completing and managing various administrative tasks related to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, you will contribute to key projects and manage internal specifications, which will require interdepartmental coordination. To be successful this role requires knowledge of food safety and quality regulations, strong communication skills (written and verbal), proficiency in Microsoft office products, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. This role allows some flexibility in scheduling and is available as either hybrid (partially remote) or in-person.

Job Responsibilities

• Create and manage internal ingredient and product specifications and ensure they meet all regulatory, customer, and internal requirements. This includes ensuring changes to specifications are effectively communicated and implemented.


• Lead and/or participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance food safety and quality processes. This involves using root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5-why and fishbone diagram) and implementing FSQ-related improvements.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide food safety and quality expertise and support in key projects.


• In coordination with FSQ Leadership, support the development, implementation, and maintenance of Food Safety & Quality policies and procedures. This can include a wide range of activities, including but not limited to document management, updating internal FSQ processes, reviewing food safety plans, reviewing records or data trends, and/or training new employees.


• Conduct routine audits and inspections to identify potential risks or areas for improvement.


• Utilize the company's ERP system to ensure product traceability information is accurate.

About You 

• S. in Food Science, Biology, Animal Science, or other related degree. Related experience may be substituted for education.


• Minimum of 2 years of experience in food safety and quality management, preferably in the pet food industry or a related field.


• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality regulations and standards (e.g., HACCP, SQF, cGMPs, FDA), preferably specific to pet food.


• Certifications in HACCP, SQF, and/or preventive controls for animal food.


• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and communication skills (written and verbal).


• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify and resolve food safety and quality issues.


• Proficient in using Microsoft Office (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).


• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic work environment.


• Ability to work well both independently and within a group

Preferred

• Experience in managing change controls, document management, and/or product specifications.


• Proficiency with using with ERP software and/or FSQ software for data management and reporting.


• Experience in process improvement (e.g., root cause analysis, corrective actions and preventive actions (CAPAs), lean six sigma, statistical process control, etc.).

 Work Environment & Physical Demands

• This position will be required to work frequently indoors, in an office setting.


• Position may require some activity in cooled, sanitary environments with temperatures 45°F or below and/or some activity in warmer environments with temperatures 70°F or above.


• Infrequently around loud production equipment.

We encourage all candidates who are enthusiastic about this opportunity and believe they can contribute to our team's success to apply, regardless of whether you meet every qualification. 

#LI-Hybrid 

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