QA Auditor

Aston Carter•Town of Islip, NY

1d•$70,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The QA Auditor will lead internal food safety and quality audit programs and oversee supplier and co-manufacturer compliance for a growing food manufacturing organization. This role evaluates the effectiveness of food safety, quality, and regulatory systems, ensures that suppliers and co-manufacturers meet defined standards, and supports continuous improvement across the supply chain. The position partners closely with Quality, Operations, Procurement, and R&D to maintain robust food safety programs, support commercialization projects, and drive consistent product quality from ingredients through finished goods.

Requirements

Prior experience in food manufacturing quality and food safety (entry-level candidates with relevant internship experience or approximately 2 years of industry experience are considered).
Strong experience with supplier quality and auditing in the food and beverage industry.
Demonstrated knowledge of food safety systems and regulatory compliance, including USDA and FDA requirements.
Proven ability to write audit reports and manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
HACCP certification with USDA or FDA focus required.
Experience with GFSI certification schemes such as SQF, BRC, or equivalent.
Strong analytical skills with hands-on experience in SPC, trending, and data analysis.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality/documentation systems.
Ability to communicate effectively with internal cross-functional teams and external partners, both verbally and in writing.
Detail-oriented approach with strong problem-solving abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Willingness to travel up to approximately 30% as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred.
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification preferred.
Experience working with food and beverage manufacturing processes, quality assurance, and quality control.
Experience in auditing, inspection, and batch record review within a regulated food environment.
Experience collaborating with Operations, Procurement, Quality, and R&D teams.
Proactive mindset in identifying and addressing food safety and quality risks.
Collaborative, team-focused approach with strong interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive documentation.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage internal audit programs to ensure compliance with regulatory and company-defined food safety and quality standards.
Conduct supplier and co-manufacturer audits, including risk assessments and performance evaluations, to verify adherence to food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and third-party audit and certification bodies.
Support and maintain a structured supplier approval and qualification program.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs, SPC, trending, and data analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Maintain and manage supplier documentation and databases in partnership with Procurement, ensuring records are accurate, current, and audit-ready.
Collaborate with R&D and cross-functional teams on ingredient approval, supplier onboarding, and specification development.
Support commercialization projects by providing food safety and quality input from product development through launch.
Develop and maintain material and finished product specifications that align with regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.
Identify risks within the supply chain and escalate significant findings and concerns to leadership in a timely manner.
Lead investigations related to supplier non-conformances, including root cause analysis, corrective actions, and verification of effectiveness.
Audit internal FSQA systems, procedures, and documentation to confirm effectiveness, alignment with standards, and readiness for external audits.
Support continuous improvement initiatives across internal processes and external partnerships to strengthen overall food safety and quality performance.
Prepare clear, detailed audit reports and communicate findings, recommendations, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to relevant stakeholders.
Participate in inspections, batch record reviews, and quality checks to support day-to-day food safety and quality control activities.