Senior FSQA Specialist (Production)

Dr. Schär AG; Swedesboro (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dr. Schär AG seeks a Senior Food Safety QA Specialist to ensure food safety and quality across our New Jersey production facility. The role requires proactive leadership of FSQA programs and collaboration with cross-functional teams on quality improvements.

The ideal candidate will manage QA documentation, support internal and external audits, and drive continuous improvement while working on the production floor in a GMP setting.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Food Science, Biological Sciences, or related field required.
• 8+ years of food industry, food safety & QA experience required.
• Experience with SQF or other GFSI schemes required.
• HACCP and/or PCQI certification required.
• Strong Microsoft Office Skills required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee FSQA programs and ensure procedures meet standards.
• Audit facility FSQA processes and manage corrective actions.
• Lead Food Safety Culture program activities and communications.
• Review finished product complaints and perform root cause investigations.
• Support external audits (SQF, FDA) with required documentation.
• Independently manage projects with minimal supervision.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

B.S. in Food Science / Biological Sciences

HACCP and/or PCQI certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job title

Senior Food Safety QA (FSQA) Specialist (Production)

Department

QA

Reports to

FSQA Manager

Job overview

The FSQA Specialist is responsible for ensuring food safety and quality compliance across the facility. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and skilled in food safety systems with the ability to manage projects independently in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work on the production floor in an manufacturing environment on a daily basis.

Responsibilities

Training, Collaboration, Operational Support, Program Oversight & Documentation

• Oversee Facility’s FSQA programs (e.g. Foreign Material Control, Pest Control, Allergen Management, CAPAs, etc.) ensuring procedures are in place and comply with company and regulatory standards
• Conduct facility GMP inspections, oversee follow-up corrective actions and trends to ensure compliance with FSQA programs
• Oversee Facility’s Food Safety Culture program and associated activities (e.g. employee surveys, Food Safety Bulletin board, One Point Lessons, food safety champion, Production Huddles, etc.)
• Responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and tracking finished product complaints, communicating adverse trends to cross functional teams; initiate root cause investigations and oversee associated corrective action implementation and verification activities as needed
• Act as a backup to the SQF practitioner and participate in SQF Management Review meetings
• Oversee Recipe Part 2 management and communicate findings to cross functional teams
• Partner with Production on troubleshooting day-to-day product quality, equipment, sanitation issues, etc.
• Participate in management of facility sanitation operational performance and 5S program
• Oversee execution of line trials (GTVs) for new material validations, equipment, Recipe Part 2 changes, etc.
• Audit food safety and quality processes as assigned to ensure compliance
• Assist with mock recalls and traces as needed
• Assist in recall response and execution alongside the Crisis Management Team as needed
• Support external audits (e.g., SQF, FDA) by providing required documentation and participating as needed
• Communicate FSQA information to cross functional teams through reports, meetings, and presentations as required
• Create, revise, and maintain food safety and quality documentation in collaboration with cross-functional teams as needed
• Provide employee coaching and training on food safety and quality best programs
• Drive continuous improvement in facility’s food safety and quality programs and provide recommendations for food safety, quality, and sanitation processes and improvements
• Independently manage projects and execute tasks with minimal supervision

Other

• Follow all company safety protocols and procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support department and company goals.
• Flexible in working hours & days, depending on business need
• The role requires frequent and sometimes constant standing, walking, bending, stooping, and kneeling to monitor production lines and inspect various parts of the facility.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Food Science, Biological Sciences, or related field required
• 8 + years of food industry, food safety & QA experience required
• Experience in a food manufacturing or production environment preferred; ability to work on the production floor and in a GMP-regulated setting.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations and application of food safety principles (ex: FSMA HACCP, GMPs, SQF, Allergens, Microbiology) required
• Experience with SQF or other GFSI schemes required
• HACCP and/or PCQI certification required
• Experience reviewing and writing policies and procedures required
• Experience with SQF or other GFSI schemes desired
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and detail oriented
• Strong Microsoft Office Skills required

Confidentiality

• The job holder is only allowed to share information with authorized persons: data and information specific to the department such as: business figures and –objectives, personnel data, salary information, statistics and analyses, pricing, customer and supplier information, terms and conditions, technical know-how of Schär and of suppliers, etc.