Food Manufacturing - Quality Assurance Specialist

Grand Prairie Foods, Inc.; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand Prairie Foods, Inc. is seeking a QA Specialist to ensure quality standards and regulatory compliance through document control, training, auditing, and shelf-life studies. The role supports SQF implementation and works closely with USDA/FDA regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor of Science in a related field, 3+ years of QA experience, and knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and GFSI frameworks. This full-time on-site position emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in a related field.
• Strong knowledge of quality and regulatory requirements (USDA, FDA, HACCP, GMP, GFSI).
• PCQI and SQF certified preferred.
• Internal audit training preferred.
• Minimum three years’ experience in quality assurance or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain document control procedures for SQF programs.
• Evaluate and modify existing programs to ensure up-to-date documentation.
• Support SQF team members in their areas of the program.
• Perform internal audits in accordance with SQF requirements.
• Develop and execute audit plans and reports with corrective actions.
• Coordinate and communicate with vendors and customers regarding SQF requirements.
• Develop customer and vendor matrices for ongoing approval.
• Support R&D with new or improved product samples/processes.
• Ensure compliance with USDA and FDA regulations.
• Coordinate calibration of laboratory and production equipment and document activities.
• Develop, review, and participate in validation protocols, trends, and shelf-life studies.
• Contribute to labeling and packaging compliance for export or customer requirements.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor of Science in a related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Role

The purpose of the QA Specialist is to be responsible for ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory through effective document control, training, auditing, validations, trending, and shelf-life studies.

Responsibilities

Assist and provide guidance in the implementation of SQF (Safe Quality Food). Duties include but not limited to:

• Develop, implement, and maintain document control procedures.
• Evaluate and modify existing programs to ensure accurate up-to-date documentation.
• Support other SQF team members in their individual areas of the SQF program.

Perform internal audits in accordance with SQF requirements.

Develop and execute audit plans and reports, following up with corrective actions pending findings and accurately documenting all steps taken.

Contact vendors (product and service providers) and customers in relation to SQF requirements. Duties include but not limited to:

• Performing on-site audits and/or collecting acceptable third-party audits.
• Writing and/or obtaining product specifications.
• Developing customer and vendor matrices for ongoing approval.

Support the Research and Development team with new and/or improved product samples/processes.

Work closely with USDA and/or FDA to ensure compliance to all federal regulations.

Develop and implement training programs for quality systems, procedures, and regulations.

Coordinate, oversee and ensure calibration with laboratory and production equipment; calibration activities, such as, scheduling, documentation, and reporting; and equipment calibration is performed according to established procedures.

Develop, review, implement, and participate in validation protocols; trends and issues; and shelf-life studies.

Participate in the compliance as required for export regulations or customer requirements, this involves the development of labeling and packaging.

Requirements

Education & Training Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in a related field
• Strong knowledge of quality and regulatory requirements (USDA, FDA, HACCP, GMP, GFSI)
• PCQI and SQF certified preferred
• Internal audit training preferred

Work Experience Requirements

Minimum three years’ experience in quality assurance or related field.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, push, and pull items weighing 50 pounds or less for up to 10 hours per day

Exposure to variation in temperature

Working with uncooked, cooked, frozen product or a combination of any product or raw materials

Expectations

Able to manage working in a diverse environment

Conflict management

Ability to communicate effectively

Follow detailed instructions

Critical thinking and decision making

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Must have basic math skills.

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Hearing and Visual skills.

Proficient in Microsoft office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint