Find & Apply For Quality Control Systems Manager Jobs in Montebello, California

Position Summary The QA/QC Specialist keeps our food safety and quality programs running every day, combining quality assurance (programs, compliance, documentation) with hands-on quality control (inspection, testing, product release). This person supports our SQF, HACCP, GMP, and Kosher certified operations for contract manufacturing and co-packing, including private label retail programs. The role serves as the backup to the QA Supervisor, supports the QA Manager on regulatory compliance, and helps build a strong quality culture through training and well organized knowledge management. Day to day work is tracked in Airtable and NetSuite. Key Responsibilities Regulatory and Safety Compliance

• Support compliance with

FDA FSMA

(Preventive Controls for Human Food), cGMPs, SQF Code, HACCP, Kosher, allergen, and customer specific requirements.

• Monitor food safety plan elements, including preventive controls, CCPs, allergen controls, and sanitation verification.
• Assist the QA Manager with regulatory inspections, certification audits, and customer audits, including document readiness and follow up.
• Track regulatory and customer requirement changes and flag impacts to the QA Manager. Program Management
• Help maintain core prerequisite and food safety programs: environmental monitoring, allergen management, foreign material control, pest control, glass and brittle plastics, traceability, recall, and food defense.
• Coordinate mock recalls and traceability exercises and document results.
• Track program schedules, verification activities, and due dates so nothing lapses. Inspection and Audit
• Conduct pre-operational inspections, line clearances, and GMP walkthroughs.
• Perform scheduled internal audits against SQF and GMP requirements and report findings.
• Inspect incoming raw materials and packaging against specifications and COAs.
• Verify finished product labeling, coding, lot numbers, and packaging integrity. Testing and Verification
• Collect samples for microbiological, environmental, and analytical testing; coordinate with third party labs and track results.
• Perform in-process checks such as weights, metal detection verification, moisture, color, particle size, and sensory evaluation as applicable.
• Verify calibration of QC equipment (scales, thermometers, metal detectors) and keep records current.
• Review results against specifications and escalate out of specification findings. Quality Control and Product Release
• Place nonconforming material on hold, document it, and support disposition decisions.
• Review batch and production records for completeness and accuracy before release.
• Support customer complaint investigations, including retained sample review. Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
• Document nonconformances, audit findings, and complaints in the CAPA system.
• Lead or support root cause analysis using tools such as 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams.
• Follow up with responsible departments to confirm corrective actions are completed and effective. Documentation and SOPs
• Draft, revise, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, forms, and specifications under document control.
• Review daily production, sanitation, and QC records for completeness, accuracy, and timely sign off.
• Keep audit-ready records organized and retrievable. Cross-Functional Training and Knowledge Management
• Train employees on GMPs, food safety, allergen control, SOPs, and QC procedures; keep training records current.
• Partner with Production, Sanitation, Warehouse, and Maintenance to resolve quality issues on the floor.
• Build and maintain a centralized QA knowledge base so procedures, specifications, and lessons learned are easy to find and use. Systems
• Use databases to log and track QA/QC records, inspections, CAPAs, holds, and program schedules.
• Use ERP for lot traceability, item and specification data, holds, and quality status of inventory.
• Help improve digital forms, workflows, and reports that make QA data more useful. QA Supervisor Backup
• Cover QA Supervisor responsibilities during absences, including directing QC technicians, approving records, and making routine release and hold decisions within defined authority.
• Serve as a QA point of contact for Production when the QA Supervisor is unavailable. Other
• Perform other duties as assigned to support food safety, quality, and compliance across the business. Qualifications Required
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of QA/QC experience in food manufacturing, co-packing, or ingredient processing.
• Working knowledge of FSMA, cGMPs, HACCP, and SQF (or another GFSI scheme).
• HACCP certification.
• Hands-on experience with inspections, internal audits, CAPA, and document control.
• Experience with ERP and database tools; NetSuite and Airtable preferred.
• Bilingual English and Spanish (spoken and written) strongly preferred. Preferred
• PCQI certification.
• SQF Practitioner training or Internal Auditor certification.
• Experience with spices, seasonings, dry blends, or low moisture foods.
• Experience with private label retail programs and customer audits.
• Experience training hourly employees on the production floor. Skills and Competencies
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in records.
• Sound judgment on holds, deviations, and when to escalate.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including writing SOPs people can actually follow.
• Confident training and coaching across departments and shifts.
• Organized knowledge management: structuring information so others can find and use it.
• Problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, Airtable, and NetSuite. Physical Requirements and Work Environment
• Work on the production floor, warehouse, and office; stand and walk for extended periods.
• Lift up to 50 lbs occasionally for sampling and inspection.
• Exposure to spice dust, strong aromas, allergens, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Wear required PPE and follow GMP, hygiene, and safety rules at all times.
• Ability to climb ladders or stairs and access equipment for inspections.

Pay:

$30.00 - $36.00 per hour Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person