Bilingual Quality Associate (QA/QC - Food Manufacturing, Brewery)

Bilingual Quality Associate (QA/QC - Food Manufacturing, Brewery) Berkeley, CA Job Details Full-time $28 - $32 an hour 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Vision insurance Employee discount Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Biology Regulatory inspections Microbiology Report writing Microsoft Excel Food safety management Quality assurance within food and beverage industry Logistics management Laboratory equipment maintenance Microsoft Office Specialist Sample preparation Multilingual Procedural guides Supplier management Bachelor of Science Writing skills Regulatory compliance Compliance audits & assessments Filing Corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) English Japanese Mid-level Compliance management implementation Microbiology Bachelor's degree in biology Manufacturing standard operating procedures Bachelor's degree HACCP Continuous improvement Staff training Laboratory compliance management Laboratory quality control QA/QC Data interpretation Chemistry Equipment maintenance Quality audits Manufacturing Bachelor's degree in microbiology Food safety Manufacturing company experience Communication skills Cross-functional communication FDA regulations Customer complaint resolution Full Job Description Takara Sake USA is a sake brewery located in Berkeley, CA, producing premium sake and sake-based seasoning products for national and international markets. We are seeking a Quality Associate to join our Quality Control & Quality Assurance (QC & QA) team in a food manufacturing environment. This position combines responsibilities commonly held by QA Associates and Quality Technicians. As part of a small but diverse brewery, this position plays a significant part in food safety, quality assurance, and compliance activities, while offering hands-on experience with sake and its brewing processes. If you're passionate about food safety, quality assurance, and learning the craft behind traditional sake brewing, we encourage you to apply and grow with our team. Position Overview Reporting to the QC & QA Manager, the Quality Associate plays a key role in building and maintaining food safety systems, regulatory compliance, laboratory operations, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires strong attention to detail and the ability to manage responsibilities independently with minimal supervision. Successful candidates have prior experience in food manufacturing QA/QC and demonstrate a high level of professional integrity. Candidates are expected to follow established procedures rigorously, identify opportunities for improvement, and communicate clearly and professionally across teams in a multicultural, fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is an on-site, full-time position. Remote work is not available.

Work hours:

Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Key Responsibilities Quality Systems & Compliance

• Develop, maintain, and improve quality management system (QMS) documents, including SOPs, forms, questionnaires, and check sheets, to ensure compliance with FDA, TTB, state, and certification requirements
• Conduct internal quality audits in production areas, prepare reports, and track CAPAs
• Participate in customer complaint handling activities, including investigations and report writing
• Support audits and inspections by certifying and regulatory agencies (e.g., Organic, Kosher, CDPH) Training & Cross-Functional Support
• Provide food safety and quality training to production staff in multilingual formats
• Provide backup support to the QA Assistant when needed Laboratory & Data Support
• Support laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance and product testing, in compliance with established procedures
• Review, manage, and interpret in-house laboratory data to support quality decisions
• Prepare, review, and issue Certificates of Analysis (COAs) accurately and on schedule
• Manage laboratory supplies and sample logistics, including sample preparation, shipping, and data tracking Supplier, Customer & Labeling Support
• Support supplier approval and monitoring activities
• Respond to customer quality inquiries, issue quality and compliance documents, and maintain records
• Support product labeling compliance, including label content review and filing Required Qualifications & Personal Attributes
• BS in Microbiology or a related scientific field (Biology, Chemistry, or similar)
• Prior experience in QA/QC within food manufacturing, with strong working knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (MOS Excel Associate or equivalent)
• Proficiency in Japanese for verbal and written communication
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills in English
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements in production environments
• Strong professional ethic: dependable, detail-focused, organized, and accountable
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple responsibilities without constant oversight
• Adaptable mindset with a practical, problem-solving approach
• Receptive to feedback and committed to maintaining high professional standards Physical Requirements
• Ability to push products up to 100 lbs. using a utility cart
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to laboratory table
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods
• Ability to bend, squat, and reach overhead as required in production and laboratory settings

Pay:

$28.00 - $32.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you have professional proficiency in Japanese (written and spoken) required to perform job-related communication?

Work Location:

In person