What are the responsibilities and job description for the FSQA Specialist & Line Auditor position at Westrock Coffee?
The FSQA Specialist is responsible for monitoring, verifying, and documenting product quality, food safety, packaging integrity, and regulatory compliance throughout the bottling process. This role performs comprehensive first checks at production startup, conducts routine in-process inspections throughout the shift, and completes final verification checks to ensure all products meet company, customer, and regulatory standards. The FSQA Specialist serves as the primary quality representative on the bottling line and works closely with Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams to identify and correct quality issues before product release.
Job Duties:
Startup / First Check Verification
- Perform comprehensive startup quality inspections on assigned bottling lines prior to production release.
- Verify product against approved specifications including:
- Product identity
- Flavor and formula verification
- Lot codes and date coding
- Label accuracy and placement
- Packaging components
- Bottle integrity and appearance
- Confirm line clearance and proper setup of packaging materials.
- Verify critical control points and quality standards are met before production begins.
- Document startup inspections accurately and completely.
- Communicate deficiencies to production leadership and verify corrective actions prior to startup approval
In-Process Quality Monitoring
- Conduct routine quality audits and first checks at established frequencies throughout the production shift.
Monitor:
- Fill weights and fill levels
- Cap application and seal integrity
- Label placement and adhesion
- Date code accuracy and legibility
- Bottle condition and package appearance
- Product sensory attributes as required
- Collect and record quality data according to established procedures.
- Monitor compliance with GMPs, food safety requirements, and operational standards.
- Identify quality defects, trends, and potential food safety concerns.
- Initiate product holds or quality notifications when necessary.
- Escalate nonconformances to production and FSQA leadership.
Final Check and Product Verification
- Perform final quality inspections at the conclusion of production runs.
- Verify completion and accuracy of all required quality documentation.
- Ensure packaging, coding, labeling, and product specifications meet release requirements.
- Review quality records for completeness prior to product disposition.
- Assist with product hold, release, and disposition activities as directed.
Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain accurate and legible quality records.
- Complete inspection forms, check sheets, and electronic records in a timely manner.
- Support compliance with FDA, USDA, customer, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and company quality requirements.
- Participate in internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
- Assist in investigation and documentation of quality deviations and corrective actions.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify recurring quality issues and recommend corrective actions.
- Support root cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Sanitation to improve product quality and process controls.
- Assist with training production employees on quality standards and food safety expectations.
Product Quality Responsibilities
- Maintain a commitment to producing safe, high-quality products that meet all customer, regulatory, and company requirements.
- Follow established quality standards, procedures, work instructions, and specifications applicable to assigned job duties.
- Perform required quality checks, inspections, and documentation accurately and completely.
- Identify, document, and communicate product quality concerns, defects, deviations, or nonconformances promptly.
- Stop work and notify leadership when product safety, quality, or compliance concerns are identified.
- Support root cause investigations and corrective actions related to quality issues.
- Ensure materials, ingredients, components, and finished products are handled in a manner that protects product integrity and quality.
- Maintain compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety requirements, sanitation standards, and applicable quality systems.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance product quality, reduce defects, and improve operational performance.
- Participate in quality training and demonstrate understanding of quality expectations relevant to the role.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation required to support product traceability, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance activities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent execution of quality standards throughout operations.
- Understand and support compliance with SQF, customer requirements, food safety programs, and applicable regulatory standards.
- Take personal ownership of product quality and food safety by ensuring issues are escalated and resolved in a timely manner
Qualifications:
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Associate degree in Food Science, Biology, Quality Assurance, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 1 year of food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, FSQA, or quality inspection experience preferred.
- Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems.
- Ability to accurately complete inspection records and documentation.
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office and quality management systems.
- Strong attention to detail and observational skills.
- Ability to work independently and make quality-based decisions.
- Understanding of food safety and quality assurance principles.
- Ability to identify defects in packaging, coding, labeling, and finished products.
- Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to follow procedures and maintain objectivity during inspections.
- Ability to stop processes or place products on hold when quality standards are not met.
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled