Quality Assurance Specialist (Fresh Foods) - San Fernando, CA

Job Summary:

The Fresh Food Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of fresh food products throughout production and distribution. This role oversees food safety and quality programs in accordance with FDA, USDA, and SQF requirements, including HACCP implementation, environmental monitoring, sanitation, labeling, and supplier compliance. The specialist works closely with QA, Production, and Sanitation teams to maintain high food safety standards, drive continuous improvement, investigate quality issues, and ensure that fresh products consistently meet company, customer, and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities:
•    Manage food safety programs and ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, and SQF regulations.
•    Oversee the Quality Department, including updating the HACCP program, conducting audits, managing corrective actions, and training QA and Production teams.
•    Ensure full compliance with all FDA/USDA/SQF food safety regulations and maintain the highest possible food safety ratings.
•    Create, update, and revise food safety, sanitation, maintenance policies, procedures, and training programs to meet regulatory and customer requirements.
•    Approve the release of raw materials, packaging components, and finished products once all quality requirements are met; manage product hold and non conformance processes.
•    Lead customer complaint investigations; conduct, document, and report non conformances, deviations, and out-of- specification results.
•    Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions for internal and third party audits.
•    Manage environmental monitoring programs and sanitation procedures.
•    Review and approve QA and Production documentation including CCPs, CPs, preventive programs, label verification, sanitation, environmental, and maintenance records.
•    Perform, review, and document food safety (CCP) and quality records per procedures.
•    Monitor the labeling department; review and verify labels to ensure compliance with specifications.
•    Manage ingredient changes, nutrition facts, and allergen labeling.
•    Maintain supplier approval programs, including specifications, third party certifications, and Letters of Guarantee.

Requirements:
•    HACCP and PCQI certification required
•    Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Public Health, or a related field
•    Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal and written) preferred
•    Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and SQF food safety regulations
•    Excellent documentation, communication, and team training skills