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

Compass Group USA; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associates Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Parental Leave

Personal Leave

Job summary

Canteen is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist in Kansas to support FDA, USDA, SQF compliance and drive continuous improvement in food safety programs.

You will maintain HACCP programs, conduct audits, investigate quality issues, and promote training to ensure regulatory and customer requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in food science, microbiology, public health, or a related field.
• HACCP, PCQI certification required and Preventive Controls requirements.
• Experience with audits, food safety documentation, and quality systems in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and SQF food safety regulations.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and team training skills.

Responsibilities

• 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 CAPAs resulting from audits.
• Support environmental monitoring and sanitation programs to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
• Review QA and Production documentation, including CCPs, CPs, preventive control programs, label verification records, sanitation records, 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, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain and update ingredient specs, nutritional information, and allergen declarations.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure supplier documentation, including specs, third-party certifications, and LOGs, is current.
• 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

Problem solving

Root cause analysis

Written communication

Verbal communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor degree in food science, microbiology, public health

Job description

Salary:$75,000 - $86,500/year

Other Forms of Compensation: Yearly Bonus Opportunity

Growth. Opportunity. Excellence.

Fresh & Ready Food Group is a member of Canteen. Canteen sets the national standard for excellence in automated retail, and EVERY segment of our business is thriving. We employ the best team in the industry and their dedication, collaboration and passion fuel our growth. YOU bring enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. TOGETHER we’ll continue transforming the micro-market, dining, coffee, and vending industry.

Come grow with us. We are Canteen.

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.
• Strong knowledge of FDA, USDA, and SQF food safety regulations.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and team training skills.

Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

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.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_Canteen.pdf

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.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Fresh & Ready Foods