Food Safety Quality Assurance Specialist

Food Safety Quality Assurance Specialist

At Häns Kissle, we strive to deliver the simple goodness of home in every bite. Founded in 1984, Häns Kissle began as the regional commissary for a small, high-end grocery chain in New England, MA, crafting fresh, upscale prepared foods and deli salads. Nearly 40 years later, we’re still in the kitchen in our 112,000 square foot facility, cooking up delicious foods with an uncompromising commitment to quality and service but now on a national level.

Purpose: The FSQA Specialist performs a variety of tasks to support the overall Food Safety Management System, including but not limited to, implementation of the Environmental Monitoring Program, conducting verifications and validations of the SQF System, and driving continuous improvement of plant and FSQA systems.

Essential functions and responsibilities

• Environmental Monitoring: Implementation of the site Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) includes, but is not limited to, collection and submission of routine and investigative environmental swabs and samples (surface, air and water), maintenance of the EMP and swab site list, management and documentation of results and corrective actions. Development of monthly trending reports on program implementation and results.
• Verification and Validation: Develop, execute, and oversee verification and validation activities for Preventive Controls (including CCPs), prerequisite programs, equipment, and systems.
• Compliance: Ensures plant practices are compliant with FDA, USDA, and applicable GFSI requirements through internal audit activities.
• Training: Develops, implements, and improves Food Safety and quality related training for all plant departments.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies areas in current processes and procedures that can be improved to support Food Safety and quality initiatives.
• Departmental Support: Supports FSQA Management in day-to-day program implementation and monitoring.

This role may require off-shift and weekend work for training and Department coverage purposes.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

English: Ability to read and speak English fluently

Team Player: Proven ability to work in a team and to collaborate with others

Certifications: PCQI, HACCP, SQF, and Internal Auditing are preferred

Software Skills: Intermediate level skills in email, Excel, and Word

QC/QA Experience: 2-4 years’ experience in facility-based quality and Food Safety

Education: B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or other related field

Work environment

Lab/Office (40%): sample preparation and organization while standing and sitting; computer work while sitting down

Plant (60%): refrigerated (40F) and wet environment

Some lifting/bending

Preferred Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Ability to lead by influence

Knowledge of Environmental Monitoring Programs and practices

Knowledge of applicable FDA and USDA regulations

Knowledge of GFSI Schemes (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, etc)

Hans Kissle takes pride in its people and product. We strongly believe in our philosophy to uphold the highest level of integrity in everything we do. Each employee is expected to understand and act appropriately per our philosophy and policies. This job description reflects essential functions assigned by management which are subject to change at any time.