Quality Assurance Specialist - Product Management (Hybrid)
About The Position
Topco Associates is currently seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist - Product Management for the Quality Assurance team in Itasca, IL. This position will be a hybrid role, with the successful candidate conducting work in our Itasca office three times per week and virtually twice per week. Topco's mission is to provide solutions for our member owners, regional retailers and wholesalers, and help them achieve a competitive advantage in the markets they serve. We aspire to develop high-performing teams to resemble the diversity of our members' shopper communities to drive greater innovation and creativity that ultimately enhances our business results and the value Topco provides to its membership. Under guidance of QA management, promotes the delivery of optimal QA services and standards by ensuring all department protocols/procedures [including new product/facility approvals, plant inspection management, specification development, first production monitoring, product monitoring evaluations, reformulation activity, brand standard intelligence, information gathering/tracking/updating/storage, regulatory (withdrawals/recalls) compliance, and problem-solving/trouble-shooting/follow-up to closure] within assigned area of responsibility are properly carried out.
Requirements
- Education: 4 Year College Degree, BS in in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Foods/Nutrition or related Field preferred
- Technical skills: Good verbal/written communication skills. Knowledge of consumer product testing, laboratory procedures, product/quality measurement skills. Ability to create and present QA information to broad audiences. Knowledge of all Microsoft applications.
- High member focus
- Previous Experience: One to three years of related industry experience
Responsibilities
- Evaluate/approve new products as warranted
- Participate in the development of new products and reformulations of existing products
- Assure First Production Monitoring protocol is executed
- Establish product monitoring programs for assigned categories
- Monitor products for assigned categories for compliance with Topco specs and with applicable government regulations
- Prepare/participate in competitive product reviews
- Write/maintain/update product specifications
- Capture Brand Standard Intelligence via Product Monitoring protocol and competitive shopping evaluations
- Gather/track/update/store information per established guidelines
- Manage withdrawal/recall situations to gather information needed by the Regulatory team
- Apply superior knowledge during product investigations and problem-solving circumstances, following-up to closure
- Provide technical expertise and product knowledge to internal and external customers
- Provide back-up to Senior QA Specialists
- Evaluate/approve new supplier facilities as warranted
- Manage vendors relative to assigned categories to GFSI certification and/or Third Party Audit compliance and advise QA Management of non-compliant suppliers
- All other duties as assigned
Benefits
- Medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO and HDHP offered)
- Health Savings Account
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Annual flexible spending accounts
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Competitive 401(k) match
- Generous PTO offered
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
