Associate Quality Investigator

SCN BestCo; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with employer matching

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SCN BestCo in Santa Cruz, CA, is seeking an Associate Quality Investigator (AQI) to lead investigations, root-cause analyses and deviation management across manufacturing and quality operations. The role ensures GMP, FDA-regulated compliance and supports product release with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include developing CAPAs, analyzing quality data, and coordinating with suppliers and labs while promoting continuous improvement in food safety programs and documentation practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, engineering, or related field or equivalent experience in QA/QC.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Quality Control and Quality Assurance methodologies.
• Proficiency in RCA and CAPA processes.
• Strong communication, organization and prioritization skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and analyze data mathematically.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations, deviations and root-cause analyses across manufacturing.
• Develop and implement CAPAs to resolve nonconformities.
• Analyze quality data and trends to identify risks and patterns.
• Collaborate with Operations, R&D, Engineering, Regulatory and Supply Chain.
• Manage customer complaints intake, tracking and closure.
• Coordinate with external manufacturers and labs for investigations.
• Support HACCP, food safety plans and sanitation validation.
• Contribute to change control and new product launch processes.
• Utilize rapid and lean methods for faster investigations.
• Support audits, inspections and certification processes with documentation.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

CAPA

Lean Six Sigma

Quality Assurance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science, engineering, or related field

Master’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Excel

MS Office

Job description

We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN BestCo is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prebiotics/probiotics in enjoyable forms such as gummies, lozenges and chews. With over 50 years of excellence, our team leads the way in changing how consumers make healthier choices. With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we’ve pioneered many firsts. The fire in our belly to create new to the world products has guided and continues to be core to our mission of making health and wellness more enjoyable. Come join us and become a part of our winning formula!

The Associate Quality Investigator (AQI) is responsible for conducting technical investigations, root-cause analyses, and deviation management across food and dietary supplements. This role ensures compliance with FDA regulations, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), food safety protocols, and industry best practices, while collaborating cross-functionally to improve quality systems, and product release processes.

Estimated starting annual base salary is $56,360.34 - $84,540.51 per year less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. Please note that the actual compensation offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined by the Company, which may include, but is not limited to, location, experience, qualifications, education, skillset, and market conditions. The target base compensation for this role is in the low to middle of the range, with the top of the range reserved for only exceptional circumstances. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary, variable annual incentive, paid based on Company performance factors. SCN BestCo offers a competitive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, which currently includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with employer matching contributions, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more, as well as paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law. Each benefit is subject to eligibility requirements as specified in plan documents, and the Company reserves the right to modify the benefits it offers from time to time.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct investigations, deviations, and root-cause analyses across manufacturing, packaging, and quality operations.
• Develop and implement effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) to resolve nonconformities and prevent recurrence.
• Analyze and trend quality data, including complaints, out of specification (OOS) results, batch records, and environmental monitoring to identify patterns and risks.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Research & Development (R&D), Engineering, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to support product and process improvements.
• Manage the intake, tracking, and closure of customer complaints, ensuring timely, accurate, and thorough documentation.
• Coordinate with external and contract manufacturers, suppliers, and third-party labs for investigations, testing, and quality expectations.
• Support and maintain food safety and GMP compliance programs such as HACCP, food safety plans, and sanitation validation.
• Participate in and contribute to change control, product qualification, and new product launch processes from a quality perspective.
• Utilize the RAPID method and other lean/quality methodologies for faster and more efficient investigations.
• Support audits, inspections, and certification processes by preparing documentation and responding to findings.
• Provide training, guidance, and knowledge-sharing for investigation practices, complaint handling, and standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and standardization of investigation and complaint processes.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, engineering, or related field, or commensurate combination of education and work experience in a Quality Control or Quality Assurance role.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Quality Control, and Quality Assurance methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Proficiency with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPAs).
• Strong communication, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced team oriented, ever-changing manufacturing environment.
• Ability to apply critical thinking in problem solving. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Professional quality control or quality assurance investigations or engineering experience in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, or medical device industry.
• Experience working with FDA drug regulations.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Lean Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Proficient in statistical analysis software (Minitab, etc).

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.