Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist

The Pennsylvania State University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State Housing and Food Services seeks a Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialist to lead HACCP and allergen programs for the Bakery and Warehouse. You will implement regulatory controls, support audits, and drive continuous improvement with operations and leadership.

Responsibilities include maintaining product specifications, labeling accuracy, and supplier quality, while training staff and coordinating recalls and traceability activities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or four years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining food safety and quality systems.
• Knowledge of FSMA and allergen labeling requirements.
• Ability to audit, analyze data, and implement CAPA programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead HACCP, Preventive Controls, and other safety documentation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop and maintain GMPs, sanitation, and allergen controls.
• Investigate quality concerns and manage corrective actions.
• Collaborate with production, warehouse, purchasing, and leadership.

Skills

Strong analytical ability

Documentation & record-keeping

Effective communication

Auditing & corrective actions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Bachelor's degree in Food Technology

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology

Tools

ServSafe Certification

FSMA knowledge

Job description

Housing and Food Services at Penn State is seeking a highly motivated **Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialist** to lead and maintain comprehensive food safety, allergen management, food defense, and quality assurance programs supporting Penn State Bakery and Warehouse operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring products are safe, consistently produced, meet regulatory requirements, and exceed customer expectations. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with bakery production, warehouse operations, purchasing, and leadership teams to develop, implement, and continuously improve food safety and quality systems. ## Key Responsibilities ### Food Safety, Food Defense & Regulatory Compliance* Develop, implement, and maintain HACCP plans, Preventive Controls programs, and other food safety documentation.* Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local food safety regulations.* Establish and monitor Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation standards, allergen controls, and food safety procedures.* Conduct routine food safety inspections and maintain required records and documentation.* Support regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and compliance reviews.* Monitor changes in food safety regulations and communicate impacts to operations.* Develop and maintain Food Defense and Food Security programs, including vulnerability assessments, access controls, visitor management, and mitigation strategies.* Coordinate food defense training and maintain food defense plans. ### Quality Assurance & Product Compliance* Establish and maintain finished product specifications and quality standards.* Investigate quality concerns, perform root cause analyses, and oversee corrective actions.* Create, review, and maintain compliant product labels.* Verify ingredient statements, allergen declarations, nutritional information, and other required labeling elements.* Evaluate formulation, ingredient, supplier, and packaging changes for food safety, regulatory, and quality impacts.* Support new product launches and process improvements. ### Allergen Management* Develop and oversee allergen control programs for Bakery and Warehouse operations.* Implement procedures to prevent allergen cross-contact.* Verify cleaning, sanitation, and product changeover procedures.* Collaborate with production teams to develop allergen-conscious scheduling practices.* Maintain ingredient specifications and allergen information within menu management systems.* Deliver allergen awareness training to employees. ### Sanitation & Environmental Monitoring* Develop and monitor sanitation procedures, schedules, and verification programs.* Oversee environmental monitoring and testing activities.* Verify cleaning and sanitizing effectiveness for facilities, equipment, and food-contact surfaces.* Monitor temperature controls, cold chain management, and storage requirements.* Investigate temperature deviations and coordinate corrective actions.* Manage pest control programs and verify completion of preventive measures. ### Auditing, Traceability & Recall Readiness* Develop audit schedules, inspection tools, and compliance tracking systems.* Conduct internal food safety and quality audits.* Maintain documentation required for regulatory compliance and audit readiness.* Develop and test traceability and recall programs.* Conduct mock recalls and evaluate system effectiveness.* Support product holds, recalls, investigations, and disposition decisions. ### Supplier & Ingredient Quality* Support supplier evaluation and approval processes.* Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs), supplier documentation, specifications, and food safety records.* Monitor ingredient and packaging quality and resolve supplier quality concerns.* Coordinate corrective actions and supplier follow-up activities when necessary. ### Training & Leadership Support* Develop and deliver food safety, quality, sanitation, allergen, and GMP training programs.* Maintain training records and support employee development.* Coach employees and supervisors on food safety and quality expectations.* Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for food safety and quality-related questions.* Provide operational and supervisory support for Bakery and Warehouse operations as needed.* Act as a liaison between quality assurance, production teams, warehouse operations, and leadership. ## Required Qualifications* Bachelor's degree in **Food Science, Food Technology, Animal Science, Microbiology,** or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and four years of relevant experience.* ServSafe Certification.* Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining food safety and quality management systems.* Experience conducting audits and managing corrective and preventive action programs.* Knowledge of FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food requirements.* Knowledge of food allergen regulations and labeling requirements.* Experience with food labeling, ingredient declarations, and nutritional compliance.* Strong analytical, documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.* Ability to effectively train, coach, and influence employees at all levels.* Demonstrated ability to collaborate across production, warehouse, culinary, purchasing, and leadership teams. ## Preferred Qualifications* ServSafe Instructor Certification.* Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification.* Experience in bakery, food manufacturing, food production, or warehouse operations.* Experience with environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, and food defense programs.* Experience managing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and supplier quality programs. ## What You'll Bring* A passion for food safety and quality excellence.* Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.* Ability to balance regulatory compliance with operational effectiveness.* Commitment to continuous improvement and risk mitigation.* Leadership skills that foster accountability, collaboration, and employee engagement. At Penn State Housing and Food Services, you'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on food safety, quality, and customer satisfaction while supporting one of the nation's leading university dining programs. You'll work alongside dedicated professionals committed to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering exceptional products and services to the Penn State community