Food Safety Associate Team Leader, Junior Kitchen

Whole Foods Market; Upper Marlboro (MD); On-site; USD 39,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Whole Benefits

Store discount

Paid time off

Health & wellness programs

Job summary

Whole Foods Market is seeking an FSQA Supervisor to lead the daily operations of the FSQA team, ensuring adherence to GMP, HACCP, and FSMA standards. You will oversee QA programs, manage audits, and maintain accurate documentation to sustain product quality and safety.

The role requires strong FSQA background, PCQI/HACCP preferred, and the ability to train staff while collaborating with leadership to resolve quality issues and regulatory concerns.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in food science, microbiology, food technology, or related field or equivalent FSQA experience.
• 18+ months FSQA facility experience in food production with 6+ months supervisory FSQA exposure.
• PCQI and HACCP certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal food safety requirements.
• Ability to implement and manage food safety and quality assurance programs.
• Experience conducting internal and external audits and inspections for compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily FSQA operations with the team, assign tasks, and train staff.
• Oversee QA programs and ensure product quality and consistency.
• Enforce quality standards for materials and finished products.
• Manage environmental monitoring and HACCP/FSMA compliance.
• Maintain SSOPs and train on safety and sanitation practices.
• Support Pest Control and other quality initiatives.
• Recordkeeping and daily audits to verify compliance.
• Prepare for food safety crises and recalls; support investigations.
• Collaborate on team member relations and performance counseling.

Skills

Audit & inspections

Data analysis

Excel

ERP processes

Team leadership

FSMA/USDA knowledge

Problem solving

Education

BA/BS in Food Science or related

Tools

PCQI certification

HACCP certification

MS Office

Job description

Responsibilities

• Partner with the FSQA Team Leader to lead the daily operations of the FSQA team, including assigning tasks, providing guidance and training, ensuring all FSQA standards are met, and safety protocols are followed.
• Assist with managing quality assurance programs and procedures to ensure product quality and consistency.
• Ensure quality standards and specifications for raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products are enforced.
• Assist with overseeing environmental monitoring program and other swabbing programs as required to conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines.
• Monitor all Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and update them frequently as dictated by business needs or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), including cross training Team Members on SSOPs.
• Assist leadership with managing Pest Control Program.
• Follow, comply with, and enforce established procedures, including health and sanitation and adherence to safe work practices.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation and records of all quality assurance and food safety activities with daily audits to verify compliance.
• Preparedness to handle food safety crises, including product recalls, contamination incidents, and other emergencies.
• Assist FSQA Team Leader with interviewing, selecting, training, developing, and counseling Team Members in a way that builds and sustains a high-performing team and minimizes turnover.
• Work collaboratively with FSQA Team Leader and Team Member Services on Team Member relations, including proper documentation, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of, and ensure compliance with, relevant regulatory rules and standards, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), USDA, State Department of Agriculture, HACCP, FSMA, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Department of Labor, Health and Sanitation regulations, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Weights and Measures.
• Provide leadership support for all internal and external quality issues (customer complaints, USDA, FDA).
• Uphold all Whole Foods Market, USDA, and HACCP program standards and work closely with USDA inspector.
• Work with FSQA Team Leader to resolve team concerns or issues.
• Foster a positive work environment of outstanding teamwork and mutual respect.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in food science, microbiology, food technology, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and FSQA experience within a food manufacturing facility.
• 18+ months of FSQA facility experience within a food production environment and 6+ months of supervisory FSQA experience in the food manufacturing industry.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and HACCP certified preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal food safety requirements.
• Ability to implement and manage food safety and quality assurance programs.
• Experience in conducting internal and external audits and inspections to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Proficiency in analyzing data from quality tests, audits, and inspections to identify trends, non-conformities, and areas for improvement.
• High level of attention to detail to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards and to identify potential risks.
• Intermediate computer skills; proficiency in select Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); and ability to learn custom applications.
• Basic understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) processes within a food manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work well with others, self-motivated, and capable of working independently with little supervision.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility, including nights, weekends and holidays as required.
• Ability to build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including Team Members, customers, suppliers, and regulators.
• A genuine passion for food and a deep commitment to our purpose to nourish people and the planet.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must adhere to company dress code and standards of production kitchen dress and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• May require the use of ladders.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

The wage range for this position is $28.26-$45.50 Hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits". Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for Full and Part-Time Team Members, including eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal).

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.