Quality and Food Safety Specialist

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

12d • $56,200 - $81,500

About The Position

The Quality and Food Safety Specialist supports the Quality Manager in ensuring that the Penn State Berkey Creamery consistently produces safe, high-quality dairy products in full compliance with federal, state, and university requirements. This hands-on role contributes directly to daily quality and food safety operations, including laboratory testing, documentation, regulatory support, and plant floor interaction. In this role, the Quality and Food Safety Specialist helps maintain and update the Creamery’s Food Safety Plans in accordance with FSMA and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, and supports the development and implementation of HACCP, SOPs, SSOPs, allergen programs, and the Food Defense Plan. The position contributes to food safety and quality committees, including allergen awareness, sanitation, and product recall teams. Daily responsibilities include: Performing or assisting with microbiological, compositional, and sensory testing of raw materials and finished products; Preparing and maintaining laboratory supplies; Calibrating instruments; Performing antibiotic testing of raw milk; Reviewing sanitation and production records; and Supporting product release decisions. The Quality Lab Specialist helps maintain ingredient and product specifications, nutritional labels, formulas, and allergen declarations using nutritional database software, and plays a key role in preparing for regulatory inspections, internal audits, and third-party assessments. The position also works closely with production and maintenance teams to support routine operations, troubleshoot quality issues, participate in equipment commissioning, and contribute to process improvements. A significant portion of the role involves maintaining accurate records required by FDA, PDA, and other regulatory agencies, including pasteurization charts, sanitation logs, ingredient documentation, and quality control data. The Quality and Food Safety Specialist helps train employees, student staff, contractors, and vendors in Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and food defense procedures, supporting the Creamery’s commitment to ongoing education and compliance. Ultimately, this role ensures continuity of daily quality functions, allowing the Quality Manager to focus on long-term program development while supporting the Creamery’s mission of producing safe, high-quality dairy products that uphold the reputation of Penn State.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Strong communication skills, attention to detail, good time management, and the ability to work independently within established guidelines
• Must be adaptable and capable of responding to changing production needs while maintaining a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment
• Successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies
• A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Performing or assisting with microbiological, compositional, and sensory testing of raw materials and finished products
• Preparing and maintaining laboratory supplies
• Calibrating instruments
• Performing antibiotic testing of raw milk
• Reviewing sanitation and production records
• Supporting product release decisions
• Maintaining ingredient and product specifications, nutritional labels, formulas, and allergen declarations using nutritional database software
• Preparing for regulatory inspections, internal audits, and third-party assessments
• Working closely with production and maintenance teams to support routine operations, troubleshoot quality issues, participate in equipment commissioning, and contribute to process improvements
• Maintaining accurate records required by FDA, PDA, and other regulatory agencies, including pasteurization charts, sanitation logs, ingredient documentation, and quality control data
• Training employees, student staff, contractors, and vendors in Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and food defense procedures

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees