Food Safety Specialist

Job Title: Food Safety Specialist (SQF Practitioner)

Job Description

The Food Safety Specialist (SQF Practitioner) supports the facility's food safety and quality programs in alignment with Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards, regulatory requirements, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). This role works closely with quality assurance, production, and leadership teams to ensure the facility maintains ongoing compliance with SQF Code requirements and food safety standards. The Food Safety Specialist assists with documentation review, audit preparation, corrective actions, and monitoring of food safety practices throughout the facility, helping to protect product integrity and support continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Verify and sign off on daily food safety and quality documentation for the facility to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Review and approve Certificates of Analysis (COAs) to confirm compliance with established product specifications.
• Assist the Quality Assurance Manager with food safety investigations, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Support the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the SQF Food Safety Program.
• Assist with internal audits to verify compliance with SQF standards, regulatory requirements, and internal food safety procedures.
• Support preparation for regulatory, customer, and third-party food safety audits by organizing records and ensuring audit readiness.
• Maintain and update documentation required for food safety compliance, including records needed for SQF and other audit programs.
• Assist with Department of Agriculture visits by providing required documentation and supporting regulatory interactions.
• Monitor and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) throughout the facility and provide feedback to reinforce compliance.
• Identify, document, and escalate food safety risks or non-compliance issues to leadership in a timely and clear manner.
• Support food safety initiatives and continuous improvement projects, ensuring accurate and complete food safety documentation.
• Notify leadership of any food safety or compliance concerns that may impact the facility, product quality, or regulatory status.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, production, and leadership teams to promote a strong food safety culture across the facility.

Essential Skills

• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and their application in a production setting.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on documentation accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively with quality, production, and leadership teams.
• Foundational understanding of food safety, auditing, and quality assurance principles.
• Ability to monitor and support compliance with food safety programs and procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• SQF Practitioner certification, or the ability to obtain this certification after hire.
• Experience working with SQF food safety systems and SQF Code requirements.
• Experience supporting regulatory, customer, or third-party food safety audits.
• Experience using TraceGains or similar supplier management or documentation systems.
• Knowledge of HACCP principles and their application in food manufacturing.
• Experience with food quality, quality control, and microbiology concepts.
• Experience in food manufacturing environments focused on dairy, beverages, or similar products is beneficial.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple documentation and audit-related tasks.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role operates within a food manufacturing environment that produces, packages, and ships private-label food products. The position may require regular time spent on the production floor to verify compliance with food safety and quality requirements. Team members follow all food safety, GMP, and safety procedures while performing their duties. The work may involve standing, walking, and moving through production areas for extended periods to conduct monitoring, inspections, and audits. The environment is fast-paced and highly focused on quality, innovation, and continuous improvement in food and beverage manufacturing.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Burlington, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52000.00 - $55000.00/yr.

Will provide as requested.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Burlington,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 1, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.