Quality Assurance Specialist (Food & Beverage)

Position Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and meticulous Quality Assurance Specialist (Food & Beverage) to join our team and uphold the highest standards of food safety and quality across our operations. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring robust food safety and quality assurance programs to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining our reputation for excellence while driving continuous improvement in our quality management systems.

Key Responsibilities

As a Quality Assurance Specialist, your core responsibilities will include:

• Program Development and Implementation: Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive food safety and quality assurance programs tailored to our operational needs, ensuring alignment with global standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Regulatory Compliance and Audits: Conduct regular inspections and audits to verify adherence to food safety regulations, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) and other critical control measures. Ensure all processes meet or exceed ISO certification requirements.
• Supplier and Raw Material Oversight: Monitor and evaluate the quality of suppliers and raw materials to ensure they meet specified standards and regulatory compliance, mitigating risks associated with substandard inputs.
• Incident Management and Corrective Actions: Lead investigations into quality incidents, non-conformances, and customer complaints. Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to address root causes and prevent recurrence, ensuring robust risk mitigation strategies.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of quality assurance activities, including audit findings, corrective actions, and compliance reports. Prepare comprehensive documentation to support certification processes and regulatory submissions.
• Training and Development: Deliver training sessions and workshops to educate staff on food safety practices, hygiene standards, and quality procedures. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
• Regulatory Updates and Industry Trends: Stay abreast of evolving food safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices. Provide strategic recommendations to leadership to ensure ongoing compliance and operational excellence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with production, operations, and other departments to integrate quality assurance principles into daily processes. Act as a liaison to ensure seamless communication and alignment of quality objectives across the organization.

Qualifications and Skills

To excel in this role, you will possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Food Science, Food Technology, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Industry Experience: Proven experience in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry, with a strong focus on food safety, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance. Hands-on experience in implementing HACCP and ISO standards is highly desirable.
• Certifications: Certification in ISO (e.g., ISO 22000, ISO 9001) and HACCP is required. Additional certifications in food safety management systems (e.g., FSSC 22000, BRCGS) are a plus.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of local and international food safety regulations, including but not limited to Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) guidelines, FDA, EU regulations, and other relevant standards.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and implement data-driven improvements. Proficiency in quality management software and documentation tools is advantageous.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing quality concerns. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the capacity to train and mentor teams effectively.
• Organizational Abilities: Demonstrated capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

While the above qualifications are essential, candidates with the following experience will be given preference:

• Prior experience in a leadership role within a quality assurance function in the F&B sector.
• Hands-on experience leading internal audits and managing certification processes from start to finish.
• Familiarity with additional food safety management system certifications (e.g., GMP, GHP, or SQF).
• Knowledge of local food safety regulations specific to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Why This Role is for You

Joining our team as a Quality Assurance Specialist offers a dynamic and rewarding career opportunity where you can make a tangible impact on food safety and quality standards. You will benefit from:

• Professional Growth: Access to ongoing training, professional development programs, and opportunities to advance your career within a globally recognized organization.
• Exposure to Certification Processes: Hands-on involvement in achieving and maintaining critical certifications, providing valuable experience in compliance and regulatory affairs.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a team of experts committed to upholding the highest standards of food safety and quality, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Impactful Contributions: Your expertise will directly contribute to protecting public health, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving operational excellence across our supply chain and production processes.

If you are passionate about food safety, possess a keen eye for detail, and thrive in a role that demands both technical expertise and leadership, we invite you to apply and become a vital part of our mission to deliver excellence in every product we offer.