FSQA Specialist & Line Auditor

Westrock Coffee Company•Conway, AR

About The Position

The FSQA Specialist is responsible for monitoring, verifying, and documenting product quality, food safety, packaging integrity, and regulatory compliance throughout the bottling process. The role performs startup inspections, routine in-process inspections, and final verification checks to ensure products meet company, customer, and regulatory standards. The specialist serves as the primary quality representative on the bottling line and works with Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams to identify and correct quality issues before product release. The position also maintains quality records, supports regulatory and customer audits, assists with investigations and corrective actions, and contributes to continuous improvement and employee training. The specialist is expected to uphold applicable GMP, food safety, sanitation, SQF, HACCP, customer, and regulatory requirements and to escalate concerns promptly.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems.
Ability to accurately complete inspection records and documentation.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
Strong attention to detail and observational skills.
Ability to work independently and make quality-based decisions.
Understanding of food safety and quality assurance principles.
Ability to identify defects in packaging, coding, labeling, and finished products.
Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to follow procedures and maintain objectivity during inspections.
Ability to stop processes or place products on hold when quality standards are not met.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Food Science, Biology, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred.
Minimum 1 year of food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, FSQA, or quality inspection experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive startup quality inspections on assigned bottling lines before production release.
Verify product identity, flavor and formula, lot and date codes, label accuracy and placement, packaging components, bottle integrity, and appearance against approved specifications.
Confirm line clearance, packaging-material setup, critical control points, and quality standards before production begins.
Document startup inspections and communicate deficiencies to production leadership; verify corrective actions before startup approval.
Conduct routine quality audits and first checks at established frequencies throughout the production shift.
Monitor fill weights and levels, cap application and seal integrity, label placement and adhesion, date-code accuracy and legibility, bottle condition, package appearance, and product sensory attributes as required.
Collect and record quality data and monitor compliance with GMPs, food safety requirements, and operational standards.
Identify quality defects, trends, and potential food safety concerns; initiate product holds or quality notifications when necessary and escalate nonconformances.
Perform final quality inspections at the conclusion of production runs and verify required quality documentation, packaging, coding, labeling, and product specifications.
Review quality records for completeness before product disposition and assist with product hold, release, and disposition activities as directed.
Maintain accurate and legible quality records, including inspection forms, check sheets, and electronic records.
Support compliance with FDA, USDA, customer, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and company quality requirements; participate in internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
Assist in investigating and documenting quality deviations and corrective actions.
Identify recurring quality issues, recommend corrective actions, support root-cause investigations, and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Sanitation to improve product quality and process controls.
Assist with training production employees on quality standards and food safety expectations.
Follow quality standards, procedures, work instructions, and specifications; perform required checks, inspections, and documentation accurately and completely.
Identify, document, and communicate quality concerns, defects, deviations, or nonconformances promptly; stop work and notify leadership when product safety, quality, or compliance concerns are identified.
Ensure materials, ingredients, components, and finished products are handled in a manner that protects product integrity and quality.
Participate in quality training, maintain records that support traceability and compliance, collaborate across teams, and take ownership of escalating and resolving product quality and food safety issues.