What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Supervisor position at Expert Staffing West?
Job Title: Quality Assurance Supervisor
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Location: Otay Mesa, CA (Local candidates preferred)
Overview:A food manufacturing company located in Otay Mesa, CA is seeking a Quality Assurance Supervisor to lead and enhance food safety and quality assurance programs across both FDA-regulated plant-based and USDA-regulated production operations. This position plays a key role in maintaining certifications, regulatory compliance, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement in quality, sanitation, and food safety practices.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food safety, microbiological systems, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. This role will collaborate closely with teams in production, sanitation, R&D, and supply chain to uphold the highest quality and safety standards across all product lines.
- Manage and maintain SQF, FSMA, HACCP, and Preventive Control programs.
- Ensure compliance with all FDA and USDA food safety regulations.
- Maintain third-party certifications such as Non-GMO Project, Kosher, Organic, Halal, and Certified Humane.
- Conduct nutritional audits and manage updates to Nutrition Facts Panels using Genesis software.
- Oversee packaging claims and ensure USDA/FDA label compliance (ingredient statements, allergens, etc.).
- Serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and customer QA teams.
- Maintain and review QA documentation, product specs, COAs, and testing protocols.
- Ensure all lab, microbiological, and sanitation testing meets internal and regulatory standards.
- Generate KPI reports related to microbiological trends, non-conformances, and corrective actions.
- Lead and track food safety and quality assurance training programs.
- Support corrective actions from audits and verify closure.
- Contribute to R&D and shelf-life studies to validate safety and sensory parameters.
- Support new product launches and facility/equipment readiness projects.
- Promote a culture of food safety and quality across all departments.
- Address and resolve consumer complaints using root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Provide technical expertise and stay current on industry trends through ongoing education.
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in food safety and QA within a USDA or FDA-regulated facility. (Dual regulatory experience strongly preferred.)
- Proficient in GMPs, HACCP, FSMA, SQF, and related regulatory standards.
- Skilled in Genesis Nutritional Software, Microsoft Office, and ERP systems.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Availability to work weekends and thrive in a fast-paced production environment.
- Potential to advance into senior QA or compliance leadership roles.
- Cross-functional exposure across meat and plant-based operations.
- Support for continued education and industry certifications (e.g., SQF Practitioner, PCQI, HACCP).
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO, and other comprehensive benefits.
- Collaborative, safety-first work environment focused on operational excellence.