Quality Assurance Specialist (Ready to Eat Foods) Lenexa, KS

Compass Group USA; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

Compass Group USA's Canteen division seeks a Quality Assurance Specialist (Ready to Eat Foods) in Lenexa, KS to support FDA, USDA, SQF compliance and drive food safety programs. You will maintain HACCP, lead audits, investigate quality issues, and implement corrective actions while ensuring regulatory documentation and training align with customer requirements.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration with Production, Sanitation, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to uphold

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in food science, Microbiology, Public Health, or a related field.
• HACCP and PCQI certification required; Preventive Controls experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure FDA/USDA/SQF and customer food safety compliance.
• Review and maintain quality procedures and training programs.
• Audit materials for compliance and document non-conformances and CAPAs.
• Support internal, customer, and third-party audits and corrective actions.
• Provide food safety training to employees.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Documentation

Communication

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor degree in food science or related field

Job description

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Quality Assurance Specialist (Ready to Eat Foods) Lenexa, KS

Position Title:QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST(READY TO EAT FOODS) - LENEXA, KS

Pay Grade:11

Reports To:

Other Forms of Compensation: Yearly Bonus Opportunity

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for supporting food safety and quality initiatives to ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, and customer requirements.

This position maintains HACCP and food safety programs, conducts audits, investigates quality issues, implements corrective and preventive actions, manages regulatory and quality documentation, and promotes a culture of food safety through employee training and continuous improvement efforts.

Essential Job Duties

• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, SQF, customer, and company food safety and quality requirements.
• Assist in developing, updating, and maintaining food safety, sanitation, maintenance, and quality procedures and training programs.
• Review and verify quality documentation for raw materials, packaging components, and finished products to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Participate in customer complaint investigations and help document non-conformances, deviations, and out-of-specification results.
• Conduct root cause analyses and assist in implementing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) resulting from internal and third-party audits.
• Support environmental monitoring and sanitation programs to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
• Review QA and Production documentation, including Critical Control Points (CCPs), Control Points (CPs), preventive control programs, label verification records, sanitation records, environmental monitoring records, and maintenance documentation.
• Maintain and document food safety and quality records in accordance with established procedures.
• Review and verify product labels to ensure compliance with approved specifications, nutritional information, allergen declarations, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain and update ingredient specifications, nutritional information, and allergen declarations.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure supplier documentation, including specifications, third-party certifications, and Letters of Guarantee (LOGs), is current and accurately maintained.
• Participate in internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits and follow up on corrective actions.
• Provide food safety and quality training to employees as needed.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to food safety and quality standards.

Work Environment

• Food manufacturing environment.
• Frequent interaction with Production, Sanitation, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.
• May require periodic participation in audits, inspections, and training activities.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor degree in food science, Microbiology, Public Health, or a related field.
• HACCP, PCQI certification required and Preventive Controls requirements.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with audits, food safety documentation, and quality systems in a food manufacturing environment.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (verbal and written) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and SQF food safety regulations.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and team training skills.

Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA

Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.