Food Safety Quality Assurance Supervisor

Job Description:

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Supervisor ensures Salad and Go's food safety and quality standards are implemented, documented, and effective at the site level. This role leads the quality technician team, clarifies FSQ program requirements, and serves as a resource for problem-solving and continuous improvement with Operations and cross-functional partners. The supervisor supports the site quality manager by building performance metrics for the department and acts as the designated backup for FSQA team leads/technicians as needed.

Functional Responsibilities

• Ensure team capability: schedule coverage, assign work, and train QA Technicians/Inspectors.
• Manage the hourly FSQA team through effective use of resources (scheduling, performance reviews, hiring, coaching, discipline, development, and termination recommendations).
• Maintain a strong floor presence; model a "lead by doing" approach to remove operational barriers during production.
• Ensure a safe work environment by complying with government and SAG safety policies and best practices; complete required reporting and documentation.
• Model SAG culture and leadership values-take ownership, demonstrate accountability, and insist on the highest standards.

Specific Tasks

• Initiate and escalate investigations related to product/process failures; assist with root-cause analysis, cross-functional product disposition, and timely corrective and preventive actions that minimize downtime and risk.
• Support site verification activities; ensure hold/release and traceability tasks are completed in compliance with SAG policies.
• Act as lab liaison; manage timely testing and release of equipment, ingredients, and finished goods; communicate results clearly and promptly.
• Demonstrate aseptic sampling techniques and Best Lab Practices knowledge; help develop team training and best practice training materials.
• Review and document preventive controls and quality checks (paper or electronic); communicate and escalate as needed.
• Facilitate FSQA shift handoff meetings/daily huddles to ensure seamless communication.
• Ensure records are completed, submitted/saved, and reviewed on time; open corrective actions for deficiencies or missing data.
• Maintain accurate inventory of FSQA consumables, PPE, and equipment; place orders via SAP.
• Use SAG digital tools to meet safety and quality KPIs; propose technology/innovation to improve team effectiveness and results.

HACCP/HARPC, Audits & Compliance

• Support routine internal & 3rd-party audit activities as directed by FSQA leadership.
• Lead or support training on FSQA changes and program updates related to CK operations.

Behavior Expectations

Accountability

• Upholds food-safety-first decisions; exercises stop/hold authority and documents rationale and outcomes.
• Owns results for assigned lines/shifts; drives CAPAs to closure with due dates, evidence, and verification of effectiveness.

Collaboration

• Builds productive relationships with Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation, R&D, Procurement, and the Lab personnel.
• Uses objective data (e.g., pH, Brix, temperatures, micro/ATP, defect rates) to make and defend decisions.
• Escalates issues constructively; aligns cross-functionally on root cause and corrective actions.
• Shares best practices and lessons learned; contributes to SOP/OPL updates.
• Respects diverse perspectives and resolves conflict using facts and standards; earns trust across CK teams.

Leadership

• Sets clear expectations, provides timely feedback, and recognizes strong performance.
• Coaches in the moment and develops technician capability using training, OPLs, and cross-training, bases plans on observation and feedback.
• Partners with technicians to establish SMART goals aligned to their growth path.
• Maintains a calm, decisive presence during incidents/investigations, delegates appropriately.
• Champions continuous improvement, removes barriers and implements simple, durable fixes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science or related field OR 5+ years of supervisory experience in food manufacturing.
• PCQI certification.
• Self-starter with strong learning agility; knows when to dive deep and turn ambiguity into opportunities.
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to supervise and motivate.
• Calm under pressure in a fast-changing environment; sound decision-making and problem-solving; escalates FSQA matters appropriately.
• Proficiency with Windows, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (or equivalents).

Preferred Qualifications

• ERP experience (e.g., SAP).
• Conversational Spanish (read/speak/write).
• Experience with P&L and budgeting.
• Familiarity with electronic documentation and web-based FSQA/QMS tools (e.g., RedZone, TraceGains, FoodLogiQ, Safe Food 360, SafetyChain, DoForms).

Physical Demands

• Regular standing and walking for extended periods; frequent use of hands; reaching; talking; hearing.
• Occasional sitting; climbing/balancing; stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling.
• Frequent lifting/moving up to 25 lbs; occasional lifting/moving up to 50 lbs.
• Visual acuity: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
• Ability to work in high/low temperature and high-moisture environments.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay + bonus potential
• Unlimited PTO (paid time off)
• Paid sick time
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Growth potential with a fast-growing company
• Free Salad and Go meals

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Salad and Go will provide reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Salad and Go is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.