Quality Assurance Specialist

TruRoots was created with a clear vision...to nourish our families, community, and planet from root to fruit. Grounded in our unmistakable legacy of passion, integrity, and quality-you-can-taste, TruRoots Company is committed to producing delicious products that nourish from farm to fridge! We continue to give back to the planet through sustainable practices, including waste reduction, water conservation, renewable electricity, and a Zero Waste to landfill facility.

Our family of brands includes R.W. Knudsen Family, a pioneer since 1961 in fruit & vegetable juices, setting the gold standard for quality, innovation, and taste, and Santa Cruz Organic. We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Specialist for our Maryland facility, rooted in the heart of Havre de Grace for over 30 years.

The Quality Assurance Specialist works with the production team to manage and maintain compliance with cGMP, food safety, food defense, allergen, and quality programs. Primary responsibilities include:

• Deliver continuous improvement in all quality systems, food safety, and sanitation.
• Lead the food defense team, ensuring all activities and reviews are completed on time.
• Manage the hold/release system for finished goods and raw materials. Track and trend hold products to identify areas for improvement or reoccurring nonconformances.
• Provide coaching to operations on food safety, quality systems, and day-to-day issues.
• Review and update processing documents and standards.
• Provide support to beverage operation technicians utilizing Lean Manufacturing tools.
• Train all full-time employees in HACCP, Sanitation, Statistical Process Control, Food Defense, Allergens, and cGMPs.
• Drive out defects in the process through collaboration with the production teams and leadership. Work to prevent and correct food safety and quality issues.
• Maintain audit readiness for cGMP, Regulatory agencies, BRCGS, or other third-party & customer audits.
• Assist and support the Quality Assurance Manager with regulatory and company training, quality continuous improvement, food safety and/or quality programs (FSMA, BRCGS), analyzing consumer complaints, and other quality department focus areas.
• Perform monthly facility inspections as required by BRCGS guidelines.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably a Technical, Food Science, or Microbiology degree
• 3+ years experience in a food manufacturing facility, preferably in a quality function
• Knowledge of beverage manufacturing, cGMPs, Kosher, and Organic
• HACCP and PCQI Certified preferred
• Familiarity with GFSI, BRCGS preferred
• Better Process Control School (Acidified & Low Acid Foods) Certified is a plus

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong computer skills Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WMS, and ERP systems.
• Effective communication (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills
• Organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Data analysis and technical skills
• Comfortable working proactively and independently in a fast-paced environment that is subject to working evenings and on-call status
• Ability to coach, teach, and lead others
• Analytical equipment experience/lab skills/troubleshooting
• Well organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of changes and developments in Quality Assurance, sanitation, food science, and sensory areas
• Highly adaptable and flexible to a dynamic environment