Quality Assurance Specialist

Location: Los Angeles, CA (Onsite)
Travel: Up to 25%

About Our Client

Our Client is committed to making fresh, high-quality food more accessible while fostering stronger, healthier communities. Through a dedication to quality ingredients, responsible sourcing, and operational excellence, the company strives to deliver exceptional food experiences at scale. The organization values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, recognizing that its people are the driving force behind its success.

The Supply Chain Quality Assurance program is built around five core areas of focus: Specification Management, Supplier Qualification, Audit & Compliance, HACCP & Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) Programs, and Regulatory Compliance. The Quality team establishes standards and expectations, while cross-functional business partners are responsible for execution and compliance.

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Specialist serves as a key contributor within the Supply Chain Quality Assurance organization, supporting and executing initiatives across all quality program pillars. This individual will be responsible for transforming quality strategies into actionable programs by managing specifications, supporting supplier approval activities, coordinating audits, maintaining compliance records, and partnering with culinary and supply chain teams.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented quality professional with a strong foundation in food science, food safety, supplier quality management, and regulatory compliance. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering safe, high-quality food products.

Key Responsibilities

Specification Management

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve ingredient and finished product specifications and CTQ standards across the product portfolio.
• Ensure specifications remain accurate, complete, and aligned with company quality standards, regulatory requirements, and product intent.
• Manage updates and revisions to product specifications while maintaining documentation integrity and version control.

Supplier Qualification

• Lead supplier qualification and onboarding activities from initiation through approval.
• Review supplier documentation, including third-party audit reports, HACCP plans, food safety programs, allergen documentation, and product specifications.
• Assess supplier compliance and provide recommendations regarding approval status and ongoing qualification requirements.

Audit & Compliance

• Coordinate internal and third-party supplier audits and maintain audit schedules.
• Track findings, corrective actions, and preventive actions through closure.
• Maintain organized records and documentation to support ongoing supplier compliance efforts.

HACCP & Critical-to-Quality Programs

• Serve as a resource for HACCP and CTQ initiatives throughout the supply chain.
• Conduct hazard analyses and support the development and maintenance of critical control point documentation.
• Participate in verification and validation activities related to supplier and ingredient risk management.

Regulatory Compliance

• Manage regulatory compliance activities related to product labeling, allergen declarations, traceability requirements, and ingredient attribute verification.
• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and industry food safety regulations.
• Maintain documentation required to support traceability and regulatory reporting programs.

Cross-Functional Quality Leadership

• Facilitate ingredient and product hand-off processes between suppliers, culinary teams, and operational stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Culinary, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to ensure new or modified products meet established quality, food safety, and operational standards before launch.
• Maintain quality documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COAs), Letters of Guarantee, allergen statements, and supplier compliance records.
• Monitor supplier performance data and quality metrics through FoodLogiQ or comparable quality management platforms.
• Identify quality trends, investigate issues, and drive corrective actions to resolution.
• Support development of SOPs, process improvements, and quality system enhancements.
• Contribute to new product introductions (NPI), limited-time offerings, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Attributes

• Demonstrates ownership and accountability for quality systems, specifications, and compliance activities.
• Able to independently manage multiple projects and priorities across various quality functions.
• Strong communicator capable of working effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Passionate about food safety, ingredient quality, sourcing practices, and supply chain excellence.
• Interested in sustainability initiatives, responsible sourcing, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.
• Comfortable identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing enhanced quality standards and tools.
• Willing and able to travel up to 25% to supplier, manufacturing, and distribution locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 4-5 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Supplier Quality, or a related food manufacturing, foodservice, or supply chain environment.
• Experience developing and managing ingredient and product specifications, including COAs, allergen documentation, and nutrition-related records.
• Knowledge of supplier audit programs such as SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or similar GFSI-benchmarked standards.
• Experience supporting audit programs, corrective action management, and supplier compliance initiatives.
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles, FDA and USDA regulations, and quality management systems.
• Strong organizational and documentation management skills.
• Experience with FoodLogiQ or comparable quality management software is preferred.
• Exposure to culinary product development, menu innovation, or new product launch processes is highly desirable.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical plan options
• Dental and vision coverage
• Flexible paid time off
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Team member meal and food benefits
• Collaborative and purpose-driven culture
• Career growth and professional development opportunities
• Employee recognition programs and company-branded merchandise
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing organization committed to quality food and strong communities