Quality Assurance & Quality Control Specialist
Location: Irvine, CA
Company: Foods/Condiments Manufacturing
Work Hours: M-F 8:30-17:30 or 8:00-17:00
Work Style: On-site (no remote, no hybrid)
Benefit: Health, Dental, Vision Insurance, 401K w/matching, PTO, and more
Salary Range: $50,000-65,000/year (DOE)
Job Summary
The Quality Assurance & Quality Control Specialist is responsible for conducting internal quality audits at food production facilities to ensure compliance with company standards, food safety requirements, and product integrity. This role works closely with production and quality management to identify, report, and resolve quality, safety, and efficiency issues, and serves as a key point of contact for internal teams and customers regarding critical quality matters.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Assurance & Internal Audits
- Monitor production processes to ensure procedures, schedules, and work instructions are properly followed.
- Review production and quality records to confirm compliance with documentation and recordkeeping requirements.
- Conduct inspections of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished products.
- Verify execution of environmental inspections, sanitation programs, equipment cleaning, and preventive maintenance.
- Ensure proper storage and handling of chemicals and supplies related to production and sanitation.
Food Safety & Quality Management
- Participate in food safety and quality management programs, including HACCP and CCP monitoring.
- Identify, report, and escalate food safety or quality deviations to management in a timely manner.
- Support root cause investigations and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Analyze quality data and specifications to support continuous improvement initiatives.
Process Improvement & Training
- Develop, implement, and review inspection standards, procedures, and quality control criteria.
- Assist in establishing quality objectives and maintaining effective recordkeeping systems.
- Support quality training programs and assist in onboarding and training new team members.
- Provide backup support for inspection activities when needed.
Communication & Support
- Respond to customer inquiries related to quality matters via phone or email.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on quality-related projects and initiatives.
Qualifications & Skills
- Experience in Quality Assurance and Quality Control within a FOOD manufacturing or regulated production environment. Emphasis on experience with a strong focus on Quality Assurance.
- Knowledge of food safety systems such as HACCP and sanitation management practices.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Effective communication skills in English and ability to work collaboratively across teams.
- Detail-oriented, reliable, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced production environment.
- Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Familiarity with Asian food products and culture is preferred.