QA & Food Safety Specialist

PGP International Inc•Evansville, IN

4d•$30 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality & Food Safety Specialist provides technical support across functions and operations to develop a quality and food safety culture. The role implements and maintains food safety and quality programs and certifications, supports compliance with customer and regulatory requirements, and helps ensure products meet established safety and quality standards. The position is based in Evansville, Indiana, and reports to the Quality & Sanitation Manager. It has no direct reports and may provide QA support to the PGPI Woodland location. The Specialist prepares for customer and regulatory audits, conducts internal audits, leads employee training, maintains QA and laboratory documentation, and oversees laboratory equipment maintenance and calibration. The role also maintains product data sheets and records, releases finished goods, creates certificates of analysis, coordinates investigations and corrective and preventive actions, and manages QA action items. The position monitors QA and sanitation metrics, responds to customer complaints and production issues, analyzes manufacturing data, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement. It also supports food safety, quality, sanitation, personnel development, reporting, traceability, and continuous-improvement activities across the site.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Biological Sciences, or a related field.
At least 2 years of Quality Supervisor, QA Specialist, or QA Professional experience in the food industry.
Experience with food-industry programs and certifications including Non-GMO, Halal, Kosher, Gluten Free, Organic, BRC, State of Indiana certifications, allergen programs, environmental monitoring, HACCP, and sanitation.
Expert knowledge of SSOPs, GMPs, FDA/USDA regulations, microbiology, and maintaining HACCP and food safety programs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interpret customer requirements and questionnaires accurately.
Ability to understand the legal implications of customer documentation and company liability with minimal supervision.
Strong technical capabilities, problem-resolution skills, decision-making, and analytical skills.
Ability to lead and motivate site teams, build cohesive teams, and influence people at all levels of the business.
Ability to use root-cause analysis to assess problems and select appropriate corrective actions.
Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage a team in demanding situations.
Ability to analyze and interpret shift data and develop action plans to improve performance.
Experience in quality, food safety, and sanitation management, and ability to champion health and safety, food safety culture, and production-process improvement.
Familiarity with ERP transactions, touch-screen tablets/PLC, basic math, pneumatic and small hand tools, and basic mechanical troubleshooting.
Experience leading and building strong professional relationships with own and cross-functional teams.
HACCP, PCQI, Internal Auditor, BRC or GFSI training, and Plant Sanitation certifications or training.
English language proficiency.
Ability to attend mandatory meetings and training as required by business needs.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment on the manufacturing floor.

Nice To Haves

Chemical and microbiology laboratory experience.
Advanced Excel knowledge.
Spanish language proficiency.

Responsibilities

Implement and maintain food safety and quality programs, including HACCP, environmental monitoring, food defense, allergen management, color coding, glass and brittle plastic policies, and CAPA.
Implement and maintain applicable certifications and compliance programs, including BRC, Organic, Halal, Kosher, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, state licensing, FDA requirements, and vendor approval support.
Support raw ingredient receiving inspection and release.
Prepare for customer and regulatory audits, perform internal audits, and manage resulting corrective and preventive actions.
Lead employee training on quality, food safety, and sanitation topics.
Create and maintain QA and laboratory manuals, documentation, calibrations, and preventive maintenance programs.
Oversee laboratory equipment maintenance and calibration, placing orders and scheduling maintenance as needed.
Maintain product data sheets and documentation; release finished goods and create certificates of analysis.
Coordinate deviations and investigation findings, and maintain the CAPA log.
Manage completion of QA department action items.
Provide QA support to the PGPI Woodland location.
Implement and monitor QA and sanitation metrics; troubleshoot and respond to customer complaints and production issues.
Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities.
Identify and implement continuous-improvement methods for food safety, QA, and sanitation processes.
Promote a safe work environment by adhering to company health, safety, and environmental policies and applicable OSHA regulations.
Enforce food safety, quality, legality, sanitation, and production practices; maintain and improve relevant systems and KPIs.
Manage the pest control program.
Collaborate with management and other functions on product development, engineering, manufacturing, and training methods.
Promote cross-training and support employee development in coordination with the QA & Sanitation Manager.
Manage accurate documentation and production records to support material traceability and inventory accuracy.
Support continuous-improvement and cost-saving initiatives, identify gaps, and participate in CI projects with the CI Manager.
Support new product development and innovation.
Interface with internal departments and management, customers, suppliers, consultants, and technical contacts.