Sr. Quality Scientist

Title: Sr. Quality Scientist

Location: Boulder. CO

Compensation Range: $90-110k, based on experience

Must be comfortable with 30% travel, with the flexibility to travel up to 50% based on business needs

About the Job:

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Quality Scientist to help us raise the bar on quality at Quinn. You’ll be hands-on throughout the production process—from ingredients and manufacturing to the finished product hitting the shelf—helping ensure everything we make is safe, consistent, and unmistakably Quinn.

In this role, you’ll own and strengthen key quality systems, partner closely with our manufacturers and internal teams, and help solve problems before they become problems. You’ll bring a sharp eye for detail, a strong understanding of food safety and regulatory requirements, and a roll-up-your-sleeves mindset to ensure our products consistently meet our high standards (and taste pretty great, too).

What You’ll Do:

• Support and continuously improve food safety and quality management systems for both new and existing products
• Maintain consistent product quality and performance across production runs. Identify and resolve quality and process problems quickly and effectively
• Review, maintain, and improve contract manufacturing documentation as needed – includes HACCP’s, GMP’s, and SOP’s for our product line complete with onsite annual QA audits.
• Conduct internal documentation control review annually and provide recommendations for improvement
• Investigate customer complaints, product deviations, non-conformances, and quality issues using structured root-cause analysis. Create and lead corrective and preventative action (CAPA) activities and verify effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Establish appropriate sampling, testing, and inspection procedures for non-confirming products to decide final disposition
• Own and maintain the product retains sensory evaluation process for product release which includes conducting a sensory evaluation, collecting data, and providing a recommendation for accepting or rejecting product.
• Analyze quality data and trends to identify opportunities for preventive action and continuous improvement - KPI tracking and reporting
• Design & conduct product quality and stability studies with sensory evaluations, interpret results, prepare reports, and provide sound technical recommendations to facilitate decision making
• Provide onsite support at our comans to assist with production run oversight to ensure quality compliance, supervise alternative raw material line trials, and support processing efforts to resolve quality issues.
• Manage consumer feedback technical questions, collect consumer feedback data, analyze data, lead investigations, and provide monthly management internal reports
• Partner with Supply Chain team to develop and maintain raw material specification database. Collaborate with internal and external supply chain teams in sourcing new ingredients and qualification with detailed documentation review and storage.
• Review and approve finished good product specifications, raw material specifications, certificates of analysis, and other technical documentation
• Interact effectively with all external regulatory personnel, food safety auditors, and customers to maintain positive relationships
• Manage third party quality certifications including Non-GMO Project, GFCO, Kosher, CAA, Detox Project
• Manage and maintain the retains stock room at the office. Creating a FIFO process
• Occasionally make benchtop samples to support product optimization, innovation, cost savings and supply assurance

About You:

• Bachelor of Science Degree focused in Food Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, or Another related field
• 5 years of experience in a Quality (preferred) and/or R&D role
• Strong understanding of food safety and quality assurance principles, including GMPs, HACCP, and preventive controls, with experience evaluating and improving food safety and quality SOPs
• A solid foundation in food regulations and labeling requirements
• You know how to build strong external relationships and partnerships, particularly with contract manufacturers and co-manufacturers
• Experience working with product formulations, adjusting, and driving new products through the commercialization process
• Comfortable navigating complexity across multiple SKUs, channels, manufacturers, and distribution models
• A collaborative, cross-functional mindset with the ability to lead, influence, and jump in wherever needed
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect and organize data, identify trends, develop assumptions, and turn findings into sound technical recommendations
• Basic experience with sensory evaluation
• You’re a transparent, open, and honest communicator - and a great listener who knows how to read between the lines
• A strategic thinker who can move quickly and comfortably operate in a dynamic, high-growth environment
• A resourceful problem solver who isn’t afraid to challenge assumptions and develop solutions, even when all the information isn’t available
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to juggle priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through
• A sharp eye for detail, strong work ethic, team-first mentality, and willingness to roll up your sleeves and get things done
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Comfortable working in a variety of environments, including spending extended periods on a manufacturing floor and working safely around manufacturing equipment and ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Must be comfortable with 30% travel, with the flexibility to travel up to 50% based on business needs

Bonus Points:

• Experience with commercially produced baked snacks such as crackers, pretzels, cookies, or similar products
• Familiarity with Gorgias, Flavor Studio, the CAA portal, and the Non-GMO Project Verified portal

The Perks of Working at Quinn:

• Day One Coverage – Enjoy comprehensive benefits starting your very first day on the team including, full medical, dental, and vision plans
• Invest in your future with both Traditional and Roth 401(k) options via Slavic401k
• Work-Life Balance – Unlimited PTO, 10 paid holidays, plus 2 floating holidays to recharge
• Get $50/month toward your favorite fitness classes or gym membership
• Give Back, Get Matched – We’ll match your charitable contributions to help amplify the causes you care about
• Pets Welcome! – Bring your furry friends along—we’re proud to be a pet-friendly workplace.
• A culture of transparency with regular updates on company performance