Quality Assurance Specialist

JOB OVERVIEW: The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring our dairy products meet established standards of quality, including reliability, usability, and performance. This position is key in developing and implementing quality control tests, identifying issues, and recommending solutions to improve processes and products and will implement and administer programs that ensure the safety, quality, legality, and regulatory compliance of Straus products.

SCOPE: Oversee all quality assurance processes from raw material inspection to final product release, ensuring compliance with organic standards by conducting regular audits, and collaborating closely with supply chain, logistics, and production teams to implement best practices that consistently meet or exceed quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Supplier Qualification & Documentation

• Manage the supplier approval process including onboarding, documentation review, and risk assessments.
• Maintain and update supplier records in compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Review supplier-submitted documentation (e.g. HACCP plans, certifications, specifications) for completeness and accuracy.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Conduct ingredient hazard analysis and supplier risk evaluations (Food Safety, Food Fraud, Food Defense).
• Support mock recall activities and traceability exercises involving supplier data.
• Ensure suppliers meet standards for SQF, CDFA, FDA, Kosher, Organic, and other relevant certifications.

Certifications, Audits, & Continuous Improvement

• Hosts certification audits for Straus products and is responsible for the different certification program maintenance and compliance - Kosher, Organic, Non-GMO.
• Updates databases and communicates with certification bodies, providing documents, answering non-compliance, etc.
• Coordinate and support supplier audits and verification activities.
• Track supplier performance, non-conformances, and corrective actions.
• Analyze trends in supplier defects and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Procurement, R&D, and Quality teams to ensure supplier compliance for new and existing products.
• Provide technical support during audits and regulatory inspections.
• Participate in product development meetings to assess supplier-related risks.

Warehousing Quality Systems

• Develop and maintain quality protocols for warehousing operations including receiving, storage, and shipping.
• Conduct regular audits of warehouse practices to ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, and regulatory standards.
• Monitor and verify temperature control, allergen segregation, and sanitation practices in storage areas.

Documentation & Traceability

• Ensure accurate and complete documentation of incoming materials, lot tracking, and inventory movements.
• Support traceability programs by maintaining records that link raw materials to finished goods.
• Collaborate with supply chain and production teams to resolve discrepancies and improve traceability.

Regulatory & QMS Support

• Assist in the development and implementation of SOPs related to warehousing and distribution.
• Support internal and external audits (SQF, CDFA, FDA) with warehouse-related documentation and practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Quality, Sanitation, and Operations teams to ensure warehouse practices align with overall food safety goals.
• Provide training and support to warehouse staff on quality procedures and expectations.

Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all quality management system regulations and guidelines, all food and dairy industry, regulatory, and any/all other applicable standards including: HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points), FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act), Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), and US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and ensure the enforcement of these as they pertain to QA/QC/Ops team
• Consistently comply with all health, occupational safety, food safety and quality, and security requirements that are communicated to you, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and processes, whether established by the company, Safety Manager, Quality leadership or by law, and consistently ensure the enforcement of these cross functionally
• Consistently work in a safe manner and comply with all health, safety, security and emergency requirements that are communicated, whether established by the Company or by law, as well as ensure the enforcement of these as they pertain to the QA/QC/Ops team
• Comply with all Company policies communicated through your Employee Manual, training, notice boards or other postings, or by a member of management
• Immediately communicate any/all food safety or occupational safety hazards concerns, and workplace accidents or near misses to Safety Manager or other member of leadership

General Functions

• Maintain high quality work ethic and excellent attendance
• Participate in weekly team meetings, biweekly huddles, safety meetings and other meetings as requested
• Assist with the communication of companywide sustainability goals to Quality team and manage resources to ensure that sustainability goals are met or exceeded
• Ensure areas of responsibility are kept neat and clean, communicating any safety hazards or non-compliance issues immediately to a member of management
• Must comply with other duties, as requested

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in food science or other related science or field, preferred
• 3 years of experience in food safety and quality assurance document control in dairy processing or food manufacturing environment, with demonstratable skills
• Extensive knowledge of programs that manage compliance including but not limited to internal audits, holds management, supplier non-conformance, Food Safety Culture program, and consumer complaint management
• Proficient level food safety technical knowledge, including demonstrated knowledge of documentation, allergens, HACCP, FSMA, SQF, and other food regulations
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills, required to communicate appropriately and effectively cross-functionally, with external customers and regulatory agencies to determine documentation requirements
• Proficient IT competency in Microsoft Suite (including Teams), smart technology (iOS), and using Quality Systems (such as LIMS, RedZone etc.), highly desirable
• Passion for organics industry, sustainability, and responsible business, preferred
• Management of concurrent projects and initiatives and meeting defined deliverables, goals, and timelines
• Ability to communicate in Spanish, preferred but not required
• This is a key quality position. Flexibility to work different shifts when needed, to be on call after hours, and to work weekends and all holidays is required

COMPETENCIES

• Dedicated. Performs with high level of professionalism, integrity, and positive disposition
• Demonstrates determination and persistence while treating others with respect
• Consistently exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills
• Possesses strong listening skills and exceptionally strong attention to detail
• Resourceful and creative problem solver that is able to work with limited or ambiguous direction
• Proactive. Overcomes obstacles and demonstrates a sense of urgency in achieving objectives
• Communicates clearly/promptly with diverse workforce, maintaining a respectful/positive work environment
• Ability to gain trust and buy-in through positive and influential style
• Efficient management of multiple tasks and maintaining records
• Makes recommendations to continuously improve procedures, methods, etc.
• Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes and pressure
• Consistently looks for ways to improve oneself through growth and development opportunities, remaining current with emerging industry regulations
• Understands how own actions impact individual/team KPIs
• Ability and willingness to promote appropriate change and improvement

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work on a computer and look at a computer screen for extended periods of time. This position requires computer approximately 65% of the time
• Full organoleptic (sight, smell, taste) as well as audio and vocal senses are required to evaluate and make sound decisions on product quality and production processes
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment
• Frequent periods of sitting, turning the head and torso, bending and flexing the arms, legs, wrists, hands, fingers.
• Frequent periods of standing, walking, climbing stairs, on varied, sometimes uneven terrain, dirt, pavement, floors.
• The ability to climb and balance is essential
• Working in cold, wet, humid environments
• Ability to work in high allergen environments
• Ability to withstand noise produced by manufacturing/warehouse machinery up to 90 decibels
• Ability to withstand temperatures ranging from -20 to 110 Fahrenheit
• Ability to lift, hold and/or carry 30 pounds, unassisted

Above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and not construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

Straus is an equal opportunity employer. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Straus Family Creamery, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

Work schedule

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Day shift

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Other