The Quality & Food Safety Specialist is responsible for leading and/or completing quality and food safety projects and tasks in a timely manner and summarizing results in a coherent method. Works effectively across all departments to gather information, problem solve, complete corrective actions, and perform internal audits. Is responsible for coordinating and summarizing quality and food safety testing and results for raw materials, packaging materials, finished product, and environmental monitoring. The Quality & Food Safety Specialist will follow and promote all Q&FS procedures to ensure compliance with FSSC22000, regulatory, quality, customer, and company requirements.

Salary Range: $57,000-$62,000 annually

Key Accountabilities:

• Manage, lead, and complete projects to support the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and remain prepared for FSSC 22000 audits and regulatory inspections.
• Assists in overseeing day-to-day activities in the Avon Lab, as well as assist in helping complete some of the day-to-day work to help cover for staff vacations or during times of heavy workflow.
• Active member of the Food Safety Team.
• Food Defense Officer and Food Fraud leader. Verifies all company and regulatory requirements are in place and effective.
• Lead consumer complaint meetings. Investigate consumer complaints and document results.
• Develop and update procedures that are easily understood for the appropriate audience.
• Work with outside laboratories to coordinate testing and use appropriate test methods.
• Actively participate and lead trace drills.
• Document and summarize experimental data and summarize in a coherent method.
• Communicate results and observations to appropriate Barilla personnel as needed.
• Serve as the contact person for production and keep supervisors informed of changes and issues that may arise.
• Collaborate with manufacturing operators to prevent defects and, when defects are found, seek out and remove causes.
• Compile end-of-the-month reports as required.
• Point of contact for Quality Assurance Technicians for technical, procedural, and food safety issues.
• Active participant in audits by internal teams and external agencies, as required or requested.
• Facilitate testing and non-conformity resolution with co-packers and suppliers when necessary.
• Facilitate testing for Industrialization trials and support the Processing Technologist when necessary.
• Ensure measurement systems are aligned and statistically transparent between various Labs (e.g., other plants, co-packers, suppliers, etc.).
• Support the Avon facility with microbiological issues during cleaning, sanitation, bio-load evaluations, environmental monitoring, etc.
• Participate and contribute to continuous improvement projects.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• A minimum of a BS in Food Science, Food Manufacturing, Biology, or other Science based degrees.
• 3-5 years of quality assurance experience in a food- manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Excellent project management, time management, and communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills is required especially in Microsoft office BI, Excel, and Word. Working knowledge of SAP.
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and appropriate supporting programs (e.g., cleaning, sanitation, pest management, etc.) is required.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and GMP requirements.
• Knowledge of ISO standards and systems, including ISO 22000 and TS22002/1 or other food safety auditing scheme is required.
• Knowledge of microbiological Food Safety risks including verification/validation is a plus.
• FSMA knowledge and/or PCQI certification is preferred.

Diverse candidates and veterans encouraged to apply.

Barilla is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Barilla to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard characteristics including, but not limited to, age, race, color, culture, ethnicity, nationality, faith, religion, gender, pregnancy, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran or protected veteran status, political opinions, health or disability.