Quality Control Associate (Edison, NJ)

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

401K

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

FSA/HSA

Job summary

United Natural Foods, Inc. seeks a Quality Specialist to ensure food quality and safety across the facility. You will enforce GMPs, verify labeling, and conduct microbiological testing while coordinating with suppliers and internal teams.

You will perform line inspections, monitor HACCP/CCP controls, and maintain documentation, with a focus on continuous improvement and regulatory compliance. The role is onsite at one of UNFI’s locations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in Quality Specialist Role or similar work experience
• Proven ability to ensure GMP compliance and FDA labeling accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Effective communication across departments and with suppliers

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-operational inspections of production and roasting lines, verify sanitation and equipment setup per SOPs
• Monitor HACCP and CCP requirements including metal detection and roasting controls
• Verify product labels against approved documentation and FDA labeling standards
• Conduct microbiological, allergen, and product quality testing with proper documentation
• Carry out in-process quality checks (weight, flavor, bag seams, salt levels) and report discrepancies
• Review production and quality documentation for accuracy and compliance; escalate issues
• Inspect incoming materials and COAs; maintain supplier documentation
• Investigate customer complaints, identify root causes, and support corrective actions
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis, product specs, nutritional info for customers and internal partners
• Maintain retained samples per procedures and support sample labeling for sales
• Support Sales by preparing product samples and labeling them correctly
• Promote GMPs, sanitation, food safety, and quality procedures across production areas
• Perform verification activities to ensure processes comply with policies and regulations
• Train new associates on food safety, SQF, FDA, and GMP requirements
• Participate in designated Food Safety, Safety, HACCP, and Crisis Management teams
• Maintain qualifications to serve as FDA Qualified Individual and SQF Practitioner

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional communication

Well organized

Good judgment

Job description

Job Overview:

Responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of the food products. Enforces the Good Manufacturing Practices through the entire facility. Ensures equipment meets the company cleaning standards. Responsible for verifying all labels in the facility. Responsible for supplier interaction and microbiological testing.

Job Responsibilities:

(NOTE: Should equate to 70% of overall job responsibility allocation)

Core Responsibilities

• Perform production and roasting line pre-operational inspections to verify line clearance, sanitation completion, documentation, and equipment setup in accordance with established SOPs.
• Monitor and verify HACCP and Critical Control Point (CCP) requirements, including metal detection and oil roasting controls.
• Verify product labels against approved documentation and applicable FDA labeling requirements.
• Perform required microbiological, allergen, and product quality testing, including sample collection, test preparation, interpretation of results, and documentation.
• Conduct routine in-process quality checks, including product weight, flavor, bag seams, salt levels, and other established quality specifications.
• Review and verify production and quality documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance; promptly document and elevate discrepancies.
• Perform quality inspections of incoming materials and products, including verification of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and other required documentation.
• Maintain supplier documentation and coordinate with suppliers to obtain updated or missing quality and compliance records.
• Investigate customer complaints, identify root causes, and support the development and implementation of corrective actions.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis, product specifications, nutritional information, and other quality documentation for customers and internal business partners.
• Maintain retained samples for incoming materials and finished production in accordance with established procedures.
• Support Sales by preparing product samples and ensuring samples are appropriately labeled.
• Promote compliance with GMPs and established sanitation, food safety, and quality procedures throughout production areas.
• Perform designated verification activities to ensure processes are completed in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Train new associates on applicable food safety, quality, SQF, FDA, and GMP requirements.
• Participate as a member of designated Food Safety, Safety, HACCP, and Crisis Management teams.
• Maintain the knowledge and qualifications necessary to serve as an FDA Qualified Individual and SQF Practitioner, as required.

Job Requirements

Experience:

Minimum 3 years in Quality Specialist Role or similar work experience

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to communicate at all levels and cross-functionally
• Well organized
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment

Onsite Role:

• This position requires the associate to perform all duties at one of our UNFI locations, such as a distribution center or office.

Physical Environment/Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, and turn frequently.
• Exposed to temperatures ranging from -20 degrees below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Perishable Operation and 37 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Grocery Operation.
• Ability to do repetitious arm, wrist, and hand movements required for maintenance and service procedures.
• Must be able to work with hands and arms overhead, and to work in or under the equipment.
• Requires manual dexterity, overall coordination, and good balance to work both at ground level and in high places to perform job duties. Ability to operate work-related equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Woodstock Farms: Ability to work in an environment containing tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, sesame, milk and different spices like pepper, chili, etc.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.