Quality Specialist

Quality Specialist

Department: Quality
Reports To: Quality Manager / SQF Practitioner
Location: Lafayette, Indiana

Position Summary

Copper Moon Coffee is seeking a highly organized, analytical, and self-motivated Quality Systems Specialist to support the Quality Manager in maintaining and continuously improving the company's food safety, quality assurance, laboratory support, and certification programs. This position serves as a key member of the Quality Department and is intended to develop into the company's Backup SQF Practitioner. The successful candidate will assist with food safety systems, customer quality requests, audits, certifications, data analysis, laboratory support, coffee quality evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives. Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency is essential, as many of the company's quality management systems are maintained through sophisticated Excel workbooks.

Primary Responsibilities

· Assist in maintaining the SQF Food Safety and Quality Management System in Conjunction with the Quality Manager.

· Plays Key Support Roles in SQF, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.

· Assist with Organic, Rainforest Alliance, customer, and other certification programs.

· Maintain controlled documents, SOPs, specifications, records, and quality documentation.

· Support CAPAs, root cause investigations, complaint investigations, and continuous improvement projects.

· Develop, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve complex Microsoft Excel workbooks used throughout the Quality Department.

· Analyze quality data and prepare reports, metrics, and trending information.

· Support customer questionnaires, technical requests, and sample programs.

· Coordinate and prepare customer coffee samples and assist in developing trial samples, blends, and roast profiles for customer evaluation.

· Participate in coffee cuppings and sensory evaluations; refine and improve skills in sensory and cupping evaluation.

· Provide laboratory support as needed in collaboration with the Chief Laboratory Technician.

· Work closely with Production, Operations, Sales, Purchasing, and Customer Service on quality-related projects.

· Serve as the backup SQF Practitioner after training and qualification.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering, Mathematics, Agricultural Science, or a related scientific or technical field (or equivalent relevant experience).

· Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance.

· Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMPs, HARPC/PCQI, or other food safety systems.

· Experience with coffee quality, laboratory testing, or sensory evaluation.

· Experience interacting with customer or third-party audits.

Microsoft Excel Requirements

· Candidates must be comfortable working with sophisticated spreadsheet-based quality systems.

· Experience with complex formulas, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, PivotTables, conditional formatting, charts, data validation, dynamic tables, and troubleshooting existing workbooks.

· Ability to expand, improve, and develop spreadsheet tools while preserving existing functionality.

· Ability to quickly understand complex interconnected workbooks created by others.

Professional Development

· The successful candidate will receive company-supported training toward becoming the Backup SQF Practitioner and may complete SQF, HACCP, PCQI, Internal Auditor, and other applicable food safety certifications.

Key Attributes

· Highly organized and detail-oriented.

· Scientific and analytical mindset.

· Comfortable managing multiple priorities.

· Strong technical writing skills.

· Continuous improvement mentality.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Prescription drug insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30