Quality Assurance Associate (Food Manufacturing)

Nuts.com•Cranford, NJ

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Associate is responsible for frontline monitoring of food safety and quality policies, programs, and procedures. The role supports facility compliance with quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory requirements by partnering with Operations to ensure the consistent production of wholesome, high-quality products. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the associate serves as a technical resource on the production floor and helps maintain an audit-ready facility in compliance with SQF and FDA regulations.

Requirements

At least 2 years of hands-on experience in a food manufacturing or packaging environment is desirable.
Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently for safety documentation and reports.
Strong computer proficiency, including Google Docs, Sheets, email, and Electronic Quality Management Systems.
Ability to use handheld devices, scanners, and computers for real-time data entry.
Ability to handle fast-paced situations and make sound, timely decisions about product safety.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work as part of a team and independently speak up and enforce safety rules.
Ability to stand for long periods and work comfortably on a busy production floor.
Flexibility to work different shifts; schedules may change based on business needs.
Ability to work any shift and overtime as needed for 24/7 or seasonal production demands.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Report and document food safety or quality issues to the QA Manager and/or SQF Practitioner immediately.
Conduct pre-operational inspections and review checklists to release production areas for daily use.
Perform swabbing, product sampling, and other quality testing.
Conduct daily Good Manufacturing Practices audits for compliance with 21 CFR 117 and SQF standards.
Inspect raw materials, work-in-progress, rework, and finished products, including high-risk product checks and packaging audits.
Monitor the product hold-and-release process, document reports, and track non-conforming goods.
Assist with investigating procedural deviations and customer complaints, and support root cause analysis.
Support calibration and maintenance of facility equipment, including scales and metal detectors.
Partner with the Sanitation team to verify cleaning effectiveness and answer Operations staff questions about food safety and product quality.
Maintain records in systems such as SafeFoods, EQMS, and TraceGains, ensuring data integrity and accurate documentation.
Follow and enforce safety rules, and monitor associate, visitor, and contractor compliance with GMP and Food Defense requirements on the production floor.
Perform other tasks assigned by FSQA management to support department and facility goals.