Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Lead

Job Details: Job Location: PCF Portland OR - Portland, OR, Position Type: Full time, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: $23.00 - $26.00Hourly, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: QA - Quality Control, POSITION SUMMARYThe Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Lead is a hands-on working lead responsible for overseeing daily food safety and quality activities within production operations. This position provides direction and support to FSQA personnel, monitors compliance with established standards, verifies production processes and documentation, and collaborates with Production and Sanitation personnel to identify and resolve food safety and quality concerns. The FSQA Lead supports implementation and verification of the Food Safety Plan, Safe Quality Food (SQF) System, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation programs, allergen controls, traceability requirements, and established product quality standards. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESFood Safety and Production Oversight Monitor production operations to verify compliance with established food safety programs, regulatory requirements, GMPs, sanitation standards, allergen controls, personnel hygiene requirements, and product specifications. Perform or oversee required production inspections, pre-operational checks, sanitation verification, chemical-control documentation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing, and environmental monitoring activities. Verify that identified sanitation deficiencies are corrected before affected equipment or production areas are released for use. Identify and address food safety, sanitation, and quality deviations; coordinate corrective measures with Production and Sanitation personnel and escalate significant or recurring concerns. Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to FSQA personnel to promote consistent execution of established procedures. Product Quality and Process Verification Perform or verify required production and quality checks, including ingredient identity, formulations, pH, temperature, moisture, weight, product coding, packaging integrity, labeling accuracy, and finished-product specifications using approved methods and properly verified equipment. Conduct or coordinate sensory evaluations of King Harvest hummus to verify appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and consistency against established quality standards. Verify that ingredients, packaging materials, and labels meet approved requirements and stop or hold affected production when incorrect ingredients, packaging, labels, codes, or allergen information are identified. Assist with troubleshooting production and product-quality deviations. Documentation and Compliance Complete and review assigned production and FSQA records to ensure accuracy, completeness, legibility, timely documentation, and compliance with established requirements. Identify and coordinate correction of documentation deficiencies before submission for final FSQA review. Support compliance with applicable food safety programs, traceability requirements, and regulatory standards. Corrective Actions and Continuous Improvement Promptly identify, communicate, and address food safety and quality concerns within the authority of the position. Document deviations, corrections, and corrective actions, and assist FSQA and Production management with root-cause investigations and remediation. Communicate significant or recurring food safety and quality concerns, corrective-action needs, and opportunities for improvement to appropriate management personnel. Additional FSQA Responsibilities Collect, maintain, and evaluate retention samples in accordance with established storage, identification, and shelf-life monitoring procedures. Maintain assigned FSQA supplies, sampling materials, and monitoring equipment. Utilize company systems and technology for documentation, communication, and data entry.Provide FSQA coverage in other production areas and perform other related duties as assigned.Qualifications: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Working knowledge of food manufacturing safety requirements, GMPs, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls, sanitation, allergen management, traceability, and product holds. Ability to perform and document required production inspections, measurements, and quality evaluations accurately. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and sound judgment. Ability to provide direction, coaching, and training while maintaining productive working relationships. Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to identify, address, and escalate concerns appropriately. Ability to work independently in a fast-paced production environment. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and related company systems. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCERequired High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum three years of experience in food manufacturing, food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, or a related production environment. Demonstrated knowledge of GMPs and production food safety controls.Preferred Experience in ready-to-eat refrigerated food manufacturing or a Quality Assurance (QA)/Production Lead role. Experience with SQF or another Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized certification program. HACCP or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training, or working knowledge of FSMA Preventive Controls. Bilingual English and Spanish.