Food Safety and Quality Associate

This role is a skilled SME who organizes and executes Food Quality & Safety work that spans multiple lines, products, or a site and influences broader business performance. Individuals lead advanced QA and food safety activities, including complex testing programs, leading multi-line hazard analyses, defining environmental monitoring programs, and system-level verification efforts. They collaborate across operations, R&D, supply chain, and regulatory partners to resolve complex quality and food safety issues and recommend refinement of standards and procedures. Working with limited supervision, they determine approaches within established frameworks and apply best practices to solve problems that require consideration of multiple factors. Their work strengthens system reliability, reduces recurring issues, and supports audit and regulatory readiness.

Accountabilities

• Lead Advanced Analytical and Microbiological Testing Across Multiple Lines or Products: Plans and executes complex analytical and microbiological testing programs, including advanced environmental monitoring and high-risk product testing, across multiple lines or product families. Interprets data trends, identifies systemic issues, and recommends targeted follow-up investigations. Shares findings with cross-functional teams to support data-driven decisions on process and control adjustments.
• Manage QA Verification Programs and Refine Standards Across Area of Responsibility: Coordinates QA verification activities—such as sampling plans, specifications checks, sensory programs, and stability monitoring—across a defined set of lines, products, or a site. Uses results to evaluate the effectiveness of current standards and identifies opportunities to refine specifications, sampling frequencies, or test methods. Works with leaders and peers to update procedures and ensure changes are implemented and monitored.
• Monitor Food Safety Programs and Lead Hazard Analysis at Area Level: Leads execution of food safety program monitoring—including sanitation verification, hygiene audits, allergen control validation, and environmental monitoring—across their area of responsibility. Uses monitoring outcomes and incident trends to support formal hazard analyses and to identify gaps in preventive and prerequisite controls. Recommends and supports implementation of improvements to food safety plans and associated verification steps.
• Support and Influence Incident Investigations and Systemic Corrective Actions: Analyzes data from quality and food safety incidents, including test results, process flows, and operational records, to identify likely contributing factors and systemic issues. Partners with cross-functional teams to define investigation scopes and develop corrective and preventive actions that address root causes, not just symptoms. Tracks implementation and follow-up results to confirm that actions are effective and shares learnings with other teams or sites.
• Coordinate Quality and Food Safety Reporting and Coach Junior SMEs: Aggregates quality, food safety, and laboratory performance metrics across their area into reports or dashboards that highlight key risks and improvement opportunities. Presents insights to leaders and cross-functional partners and recommends prioritized actions to address recurring issues. Provides technical coaching to junior SMEs and technicians on best practices in testing, verification, and documentation.