Quality Specialist

Description

Quality Specialist - Food Manufacturing

Location: Memphis, TN Area

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 10 PM - 6 AM (Night Shift)

Status: Full-Time, Salaried

On-Call: Weekend support as needed

Position Summary

We are seeking a Quality Specialist to support food safety and quality operations within a fast-paced food manufacturing facility. This position serves as the lead quality representative for the assigned shift and provides oversight across multiple departments to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.

The Quality Specialist will work closely with Production, Sanitation, and Warehouse/Operations teams to maintain product quality standards, investigate quality concerns, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires strong knowledge of microbiology, food safety programs, and manufacturing quality systems.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the primary Quality Specialist for the night shift, providing quality leadership and support across three operational departments.

Monitor compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, and company quality standards.

Conduct routine floor audits, inspections, and verification activities throughout the facility.

Review and evaluate microbiological testing results, environmental monitoring data, and quality trends.

Investigate product quality issues, customer complaints, deviations, and non-conformances.

Lead root cause analysis investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Partner with Production, Sanitation, and Operations teams to ensure quality standards are consistently met.

Verify process controls, sanitation effectiveness, and adherence to standard operating procedures.

Maintain accurate quality documentation, records, and reports.

Assist with internal audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.

Provide training and coaching to production employees on food safety, quality, and GMP requirements.

Escalate significant food safety or quality concerns to management as necessary.

Participate in continuous improvement projects focused on quality and process optimization.

Provide on-call quality support during weekends and off-shift situations as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field preferred.

2+ years of quality assurance, food safety, microbiology, or quality systems experience in a food manufacturing environment.

Strong understanding of:

GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices)

HACCP

SQF, BRC, or other GFSI food safety standards

Environmental monitoring programs

Microbiological testing and food safety principles

CAPA and root cause analysis

Ability to work independently and make sound quality-related decisions during off-shift hours.

Strong communication, investigation, and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality documentation systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting microbiology programs within a food manufacturing facility.

Previous experience serving as a quality lead or shift quality representative.

Knowledge of FDA, USDA, and food industry regulatory requirements.

Certification in HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner, or related food safety programs is a plus.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

401(k) with company match.

Paid time off and holidays.

Career growth opportunities within a growing food manufacturing organization.

This position is ideal for a quality professional with a strong microbiology background who enjoys working cross-functionally, leading quality initiatives during off-shift operations, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and product quality.

Skills

Quality assurance, Gmp, Quality control, Audit, Sop, Document control, Food safety, microbiology

Top Skills Details

Quality assurance, Gmp, Quality control, Audit, Sop, Document control, Food safety, microbiology

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Memphis, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Memphis,TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.