Quality Compliance Specialist

What Ever Fresh Fruit Companyoffers!

• Monday through Friday schedule
• Dedicated Employee Development Team to assist with career growth
• Opportunities for advancement
• A leadership team that works alongside you for continued support
• Employee recognition programs

Ever Fresh Fruit Company offers employer paid:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term disability
• Life insurance plan
• Vacation and sick time
• 9 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous 401(k) match

About us!

We work closely with our customers to create unique flavor elements to ice cream bases and yogurt of our ingredients end up in easily recognizable brands on the store shelf as we produce for both international corporations as well as smaller localbrands. Our Research and Development is done in-house so we get to witness the whole process from ideation to creation. We support regional trade organizations source locally when appropriate and help to bring healthy food topeoples tables.

Quality Compliance Specialist

Department: Quality Assurance Department

Status: Non-exempt

Employee Classification: Regular Full-time

Report To: Quality Systems Manager

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Job Summary: The Quality Compliance Specialist is an experienced individual contributor responsible for supporting food safety quality compliance and supplier quality programs within a food manufacturing environment. This role plays a key part in maintaining audit readiness and may support or lead customer SQF Organic and Kosher audits in the absence of the Quality Systems Manager.

The position owns the execution of the supplier approval monitoring and audit program utilizing TraceGains and provides general QA support as needed to ensure compliance food safety and operational continuity.

The ideal candidate is technically strong detail-oriented collaborative and capable of working independently in a fast-paced growing organization.

Essential Functions:

Audit and Compliance Support

• Support and when required lead customer SQF Organic and Kosher audits in the absence of the Quality Systems Manager
• Serve as a knowledgeable on-site quality representative for auditors and regulatory visitors
• Maintain audit readiness through documentation record review verification activities and gap identification
• Assist with audit preparation corrective actions and audit follow-up documentation
• Respond to auditor requests related to supplier approval monitoring and verification activities

Supplier Quality Management

• Manage and maintain the supplier approval monitoring and verification program
• Review approve and maintain supplier documentation including specifications COAs allergen statements questionnaires certifications food safety plans etc.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments to determine approval status and audit frequency
• Plan conduct and document supplier audits (primarily virtual/remote) in alignment with SQF customer and internal requirements
• Prepare supplier audit agendas checklists and audit reports
• Communicate audit findings to suppliers and track corrective actions to closure
• Monitor supplier performance and escalate food safety or quality risks as appropriate

Quality Assurance Support

• Provide general QA support to production and operations as needed
• Assist with investigations related to quality food safety complaints deviations and supplier issues
• Support internal audits GMP inspections and verification activities
• Assist with development review and maintenance of controlled documents forms and records
• Act as a technical resource for quality and food safety questions across departments

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Work cross-functionally with Operations Purchasing Product Development and Sales to support quality initiatives
• Identify opportunities for improvement within supplier quality and compliance programs
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of quality systems and processes

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

1. Bachelors degree in food science Biology Chemistry or related field or equivalent experience.
2. 5 years of experience in food beverage or ingredient manufacturing QA/QC role.
3. Expertise in GFSI (SQF) standards HACCP GMPs and regulatory compliance.
4. Experience evaluating supplier quality documentation and conducting audits.
5. Proficient using computer applications including Microsoft Word Excel and email.
6. Excellent communication documentation and organizational skills.
7. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers employees and other organizations.
8. Experience supporting or leading third-party audits.
9. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
10. Bilingual skills in English and Spanish both oral and written are preferred but not required.

Working Conditions/Physical Factors:

1. Exposure to wet and/or humid conditions.
2. Exposure to a loud working environment hearing protection is mandatory.
3. Exposure to hazards in the workplace such as proximity to equipment conducting extreme heat moving parts and electrical current.
4. Must be able to work in an environment containing allergens (sulfites etc.). Use of a respirator may be required although this requirement is infrequent.
5. Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.
6. Occasionally required to use hands and fingers.
7. Frequently required to talk or hear.
8. Frequently required to taste and smell.
9. Frequently required to lift/push/pull/carry weight up to 50 pounds.
10. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision distance vision and color vision.
11. Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
12. Office-based with occasional visits to manufacturing facilities and supplier sites.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.