Food Safety & Quality Assurance Supervisor

Title: Food Safety & Quality Assurance Supervisor

Location: Bolingbrook IL

Reports to: Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager

Position Summary:

The Fresh Factory is a contract manufacturer producing dressings sauces jams dips and baked

products for customer brands. The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Supervisor leads the

day-to-day execution of the sites food safety and quality programs. This role supervises the Quality

Technicians verifies daily food safety records manages product hold and release coordinates

laboratory testing and issues Certificates of Analysis (COAs) to customers. The FSQA Supervisor is a

hands-on leader who spends a significant part of each shift on the production floor supporting the

QA team and resolving food safety and quality issues as they arise.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Food Safety Records and Verification :

Review verify and sign all daily food safety and quality records within the required time frame.

Ensure records are complete accurate and legible and that deviations are documented with

the correct corrective actions before records are signed.

Maintain records in an organized audit ready condition according to the site record retention

requirements.

Product Hold and Release

Place product ingredients and packaging on hold when food safety or quality requirements are

not met and ensure holds are correctly identified segregated and recorded in ERP system.

Investigate the cause of holds with Production and Maintenance and recommend disposition

(release rework or destruction) to the FSQA Manager.

Maintain an up-to-date hold log and repot open holds and their status to the FSQA Manager.

Laboratory Testing and Sample Management

Ensure samples are collected labeled stored packed and shipped to the laboratory correctly

Complete the Sample Analysis Request Form (SARF) accurately for every sample submission

including the correct product lot code tests requested and customer specifications.

Receive review and file laboratory results; compare results to specifications and immediately

escalate any out-of-specification or positive results to the FSQA Manager.

Support with Quality Technicians with in-house analytical tests.

Support the environmental monitoring program including swab collection result tracking and

follow up actions.

Certifications of Analysis and Customer Support

Prepare and issue accurate COAs to customers for each shipped lot based on verified test

results and customer specifications.

Respond to customer quality questions and documentation requests in a timely and professional

manner with support from the FSQA Manager.

Support customer complaint investigations by providing records retained samples and test

data.

Supervision of Quality Technicians

Directly supervise the Quality Technicians including shift scheduling task assignment

attendance and performance management.

Train Quality Technicians on procedures testing methods documentation practices and GMPs

and verify their competency.

Provide day-to-day coaching and technical support to Quality Technicians and act as their first

point of escalation.

Cover Quality Technician duties when needed to keep quality checks on schedule.

Production Floor Support and Troubleshooting

Spend a significant part of each shift on the production floor monitoring compliance with GMPs

allergen controls foreign material controls and food safety plans.

Troubleshoot food safety and quality issues as they arise and lead immediate response and

corrective actions with Production and Maintenance.

Communicate food safety and quality issues clearly to Production Supervisors operators and

the FSQA Manager.

Food Safety Programs Audits and Continuous Improvement

Support the maintenance of the food safety plan (HACCP / FSMA Preventive Controls) and GFSI-

benchmarked program (such as SQF or BRCGS).

Participate in internal audits customer audits third-party certification audits and regulatory

inspections and help close corrective actions on time.

Help write and update SOPs work instructions and forms.

Participate in root cause analysis and CAPA mock recalls and continuous improvement

projects.

Perform other duties as assigned by the FSQA Manager.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelors degree in Food Science Microbiology Biology Chemistry or a related field;

equivalent experience will be considered.

Minimum of 3 years of food safety or quality assurance experience in food manufacturing

including at least 1 year in a lead or supervisory role.

Experience in sauces dressings dips jams bakery or co-manufacturing environments is

preferred.

Certifications

HACCP certification required.

PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification preferred or willingness to obtain

within 6 months of hire.

SQF Practitioner training and Better Process Control School certification are a plus.

Knowledge and Skills

Strong working knowledge of GMPs HACCP FSMA allergen management sanitation and

environmental monitoring.

Understanding of microbiological and analytical testing sampling methods and interpreting

laboratory results against specifications.

High attention to detail and strong documentation practices.

Ability to lead train and motivate a team and to make sound decisions under time pressure.

Clear written and verbal communication skills;

Bilingual English/Spanish is a requirement.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with ERP systems such as Plex SAP Oracle

Microsoft Dynamix is preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work is performed mainly on the production floor in a food manufacturing environment with

exposure to noise wet floors cold and hot areas and common food allergens.

Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

Must follow all GMP safety and PPE requirements.

Must be available to work flexible hours including early mornings evenings weekends or

overtime as production requires.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical Dental and Vision coverage
• Voluntary STD LTD and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Holiday pay
• A culture of trust and growth opportunities

About Us

At The Fresh Factory weve built a platform to accelerate the growth of emerging food and beverage brands. We are vertically integrated from the farm to the shelf providing more than traditional manufacturing and serving as a trusted growth partner for leading brands.

Join us and shape the future of fresh food production!

JOB CODE:

Required Experience:

Manager