QA & SQF Practitioner

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced QA & SQF Practitioner who will serve as the primary point of contact for all food safety initiatives, audits, and certifications, ensuring product integrity and supporting operational excellence. As an SQF-certified company, we require a candidate with proven expertise managing SQF systems through successful annual audits. This is a leadership role responsible for the full scope of our food safety and quality program — from compliance and documentation to supplier management, training, and continuous improvement. 

 

Our Company, Teeccino, produces organic herbal beverages to support optimal health of both people and the planet. Our products are sold nationally and internationally. We import herbs and other ingredients from dedicated suppliers around the world. Our founder, who is the CEO and creator of our products, has over 50 years experience in the herbal beverage industry.  Under her guidance, our 30+ year old company has been committed to organic, sustainable values and pioneering innovation and new ingredients. If you are eager to join a small company making a positive impact in people’s health and wellness, you are the right person for this important role on our team.

 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Quality System Management

• Serve as the designated SQF Practitioner, ensuring compliance with SQF Code requirements.
• Conduct GAP assessments to evaluate the food safety system against SQF, regulatory, and customer requirements; identify deficiencies and drive improvement
• Conduct routine facility inspections, GMP audits, and verification of sanitation & allergen controls.
• Develop, update, and implement food safety policies, SOPs, and training programs
• Lead preparation for and successful completion of annual SQF audits
• Maintain, update, and revise SOPs to reflect operational changes, regulatory updates, or audit findings
• Investigate root causes, develop, and maintain CAPAs
• Maintain the non-conformance logs
• Manage organic certification requirements for product labeling, warehousing and production
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to food safety and quality

Supplier Management

• Manage the Approved Supplier Program, including annual document review, retrieval, logging, filing, and follow-up
• Communicate with suppliers regarding non-conforming ingredients or packaging; request investigations, review responses, and coordinate corrective actions

Production & Ingredient Oversight

• Review COAs from incoming ingredients against supplier spec sheets; log and file accordingly
• Inspect and approve retained samples of incoming ingredients
• Review all production and assembly documents including batch records
• Track down and provide COAs in response to customer requests 

Lab & Monitoring

• Evaluate microbiological, allergen, and environmental monitoring results against specifications
• Coordinate weekly COA submissions to 3rd party laboratory
• Perform Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) testing

Training & Internal Inspections

• Update and deliver annual employee training programs including presentations and quizzes; 
• Conduct weekly taste testing of herbal blends for approval and release to production
• Follow up with departments to maintain internal inspection logs and cleaning schedules;

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–5 years of experience managing an SQF food safety program, including successful annual SQF audits
• Certified SQF Practitioner (or ability to become certified within 6 months)
• HACCP Certified
• Strong knowledge of cGMP standards and quality management system
• Experience with 21 CFR Part 111 regulations for Dietary & Herbal Supplements preferred
• Bilingual: English & Spanish
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Comfortable presenting trainings to teams and leadership
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to documentation and records management
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Food Science, equivalent experience accepted
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office