QA Food/Beverage Specialist

Ultimate Staffing; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing's client seeks a QA Specialist to support the facility's QMS, drive food safety and quality initiatives, and partner across departments to strengthen our quality culture.

The role requires hands-on collaboration, ownership of quality initiatives, and the ability to work with teams to implement corrective actions and continuous improvement programs. Strong writing and training coordination are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Systems, or Quality Management Systems.
• Food or beverage manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong technical writing skills, including SOP and work instruction development.
• Experience supporting or managing employee training programs.
• Knowledge of CAPA processes, root cause analysis, and corrective action management.
• Experience participating in audits and audit preparation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Develop and update SOPs, work instructions, forms, and quality documentation.
• Manage employee training programs, records, and training materials.
• Identify training needs and support training delivery across departments.
• Lead CAPAs, including investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and closure.
• Investigate customer complaints and implement effective corrective actions.
• Support internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, Warehouse, and other departments on food safety and quality issues.
• Work with suppliers and corporate quality teams on quality-related initiatives.
• Participate in continuous improvement and problem-solving projects.
• Promote compliance with food safety, quality, and company standards.
• Foster a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the organization.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Quality Systems

Quality Management Systems

Technical writing

Training coordination

Problem solving

Job description

The QA Specialist supports the facility's Quality Management System (QMS) and partners with teams across the organization to drive food safety, quality, compliance, training, documentation, and continuous improvement.

Our client is looking for a hands-on, adaptable team player who can build relationships across departments, take ownership of quality initiatives, and help strengthen our quality culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS)
• Develop and update SOPs, work instructions, forms, and quality documentation
• Manage employee training programs, records, and training materials
• Identify training needs and support training delivery across departments
• Lead CAPAs, including investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and closure
• Investigate customer complaints and implement effective corrective actions
• Support internal, customer, third-party, and regulatory audits
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, Warehouse, and other departments on food safety and quality issues
• Work with suppliers and corporate quality teams on quality-related initiatives
• Participate in continuous improvement and problem-solving projects
• Promote compliance with food safety, quality, and company standards
• Foster a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the organization

Required Qualifications

• Experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Systems, or Quality Management Systems
• Food or beverage manufacturing experience preferred
• Strong technical writing skills, including SOP and work instruction development
• Experience supporting or managing employee training programs
• Knowledge of CAPA processes, root cause analysis, and corrective action management
• Experience participating in audits and audit preparation
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and follow-through skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
• Positive, flexible, team-oriented mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Food safety or quality certifications
• Experience with HACCP, Preventive Controls, SQF, BRCGS, or similar programs
• Experience with regulatory audits and regulatory agencies
• Supplier quality experience
• Continuous improvement or structured problem-solving experience

What We're Looking For

Success in this role requires someone who is:

• Hands-on and proactive
• Adaptable and eager to learn
• Comfortable working with employees at all levels
• Accountable and follows through on commitments
• Collaborative and solutions-focused
• Passionate about continuous improvement and quality excellence

The ideal candidate may not have every qualification on day one but will bring a strong willingness to learn, take ownership, and contribute to a culture of food safety and quality.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.