FSQA Technician — Frozen Pizza Manufacturing (USDA/BRC)

About the Role

As an FSQA Technician in our Romeoville, IL facility, you’ll be the daily guardian of food safety and product quality across frozen pizza operations. You’ll collaborate closely with the Quality Assurance Supervisor and Quality Assurance Manager to ensure every process meets USDA, BRC, and customer expectations.

A Day in the Life

Starting your day at 5:00 a.m., you’ll move from the production floor to the labeling room and back to the QA desk, owning the rhythm of quality on shift:

• Lead daily pre-operational inspections and conduct required SSOP operational checks under USDA oversight.
• Collect ATP swabs to verify sanitation effectiveness and perform monthly allergen validation swabs.
• Oversee the labeling room, including printing labels for master cases.
• Collect finished pizza samples and maintain a clean, organized retain/sample area.
• Accompany the USDA inspector on the daily walkthrough of the facility.
• Review and verify receiving records and QA paperwork for accuracy; update GKMS documents when discrepancies or changes occur.
• Place and release product holds in the system; issue maintenance/sanitation work orders when needed.
• Send the daily shift email summarizing the USDA walkthrough and all hold actions.
• Drive process improvements that simplify tasks while maintaining compliance with SOPs.
• Own documentation and administrative tasks: weekly hold log updates, NCR findings spreadsheet, temperature logs, calibration records, retain sample log, work orders, Supplier NCRs, and more.
• Perform internal audits as scheduled by the Compliance Coordinator.
• Assign QA Tech tasks for next-day production and pre-op; train and re-train QA team members as needed.
• Partner with Operations and other departments to resolve food safety and quality issues; step into Shipping/Receiving when coverage is needed.
• Report employee discrepancies to the QA Supervisor, QA Manager, or the appropriate department leader.
• Pitch in on additional projects and duties as assigned or volunteered.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Quality Assurance Supervisor and Quality Assurance Manager
• Department: Food Safety & Quality Assurance
• Role backups: Alternate QA Supervisor; Alternate QA Manager

Food Safety & Quality Commitments

• Adhere to GMPs, including proper hygiene and handwashing.
• Follow all USDA guidelines and meet BRC Standard requirements.
• Report any food safety or quality issues to supervision and/or QA immediately.
• Comply with customer requirements where applicable.
• Report any risks or evidence of unsafe or out-of-specification product, equipment, packaging, or raw materials to a designated manager for immediate resolution.

Required Background

• Experience working in a USDA-regulated facility and a prior FSQA role.
• Flexibility to adjust quickly; ability to work weekends and overtime as needed.
• Professional email communication skills with management, suppliers, and laboratories.
• Ability to partner effectively with other FSQA leads.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree a plus.
• 1–2 years of experience in a USDA environment.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Travel: less than 10%.

Proficiencies

• Food & Beverage Manufacturing
• Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA)
• FDA Regulations
• USDA Regulations

Schedule & Location

• Standard schedule: Monday–Friday, 5:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (flexibility required for weekend work and overtime).
• Location: Romeoville, IL, USA.