QA Specialist

QA Specialist- Asian Food IndustryA leading food importer and distributor is seeking a QA Specialist to protect product safety, regulatory compliance, traceability, and brand integrity across a multi-branch operation. This position owns HACCP programs, supplier audits, imported-product labeling, sanitation, customer documentation, complaint investigations, and inspection readiness.The strongest candidate will have food quality or food-safety experience within importing, distribution, manufacturing, warehousing, or grocery supply chain. Japanese or broader Asian food experience is highly preferred, and business-level Japanese is valuable for reviewing product labels and ingredients.Location: El Monte, CaliforniaSchedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunchWork Setting: Onsite office and warehouse environment, with supplier and branch travelRole Type: Direct hireCompensation: $72,000-$92,000 in annual total compensation, including a performance-based bonus opportunity; bonus is not guaranteedRelocation Assistance: May be considered for the right candidateBenefitsCompany-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.Company-paid life insurance.401(k) plan with company match.ResponsibilitiesImplement and monitor HACCP, sanitation, GMP/GDP, food-defense, recall, allergen-control, and supplier-verification programs.Conduct supplier food-safety audits, document hazards, and follow corrective actions through closure.Maintain specifications, COAs, laboratory results, guarantees, audit records, calibration documentation, and customer questionnaires.Oversee warehouse sanitation and pest-control programs.Review imported-product labels, ingredients, and allergens for federal and state compliance.Investigate complaints, determine root cause, and execute corrective and preventive actions.Maintain and improve quality systems, SOPs, policies, forms, metrics, and training across company branches.Coordinate with the FDA, USDA, and local health departments during inspections.Support sales teams with regulatory documentation and customer QA requests.Travel to suppliers and branches and participate in occasional company events and semiannual weekend inventory.QualificationsBusiness-level English.Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP/GDP, sanitation, allergens, recalls, traceability, and supplier controls.Strong QA, supplier, audit, product, and regulatory documentation experience.Ability to research food regulations and translate requirements into procedures.Intermediate Microsoft Office skills and familiarity with Business Central, SAP, or another ERP.Ability to work onsite, travel by car or airplane, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.Preferred QualificationsBachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field.Three or more years of food QA, food safety, supplier quality, or regulatory experience.Japanese or broader Asian food-industry experience.Business-level Japanese and Japanese-label review capability.HACCP, GMP, PCQI, SQF, or comparable food-safety training.