Quality Assurance Specialist

About the Role

The Quality Assurance Specialist supports the Quality Systems Manager in upholding food safety and quality standards across the plant. This role plays a critical part in ensuring products consistently meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.

Compensation & Schedule

• Pay: Starting at $22.81/hour
• Location: 2955 Charter Street, Columbus, OH
• Training Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM (2 weeks); then Monday–Friday, 1:00 PM–11:00 PM (2 weeks)
• Regular Schedule: Monday–Friday, 11:00 PM–7:00 AM

Key Responsibilities

Quality & Food Safety Oversight

• Support the Quality Systems Manager on plant-wide quality and food safety initiatives
• Conduct plant reporting, including weekly GMP audits, safety assessments, and daily GMP inspections
• Review and file CQP paperwork; verify completion and documentation of metal checks
• Assist with monthly training and observe product quality, including HACCP functions
• Monitor documentation daily and take remedial action as needed

Product Monitoring & Compliance

• Monitor, communicate, and follow through on product quality or food safety issues, including employee conformance
• Apply working knowledge of GMPs, sanitation processes, product recall procedures, and HACCP to develop and implement related policies
• Perform daily quality checks, including floor and GMP inspections, raw material and finished product inspections, coding verification, and product moisture/pH testing
• Calibrate Dipix/Eyepro equipment and conduct sensory scoring
• Validate that customer specifications and regulatory requirements are met
• Investigate customer complaints and maintain strong product knowledge

Communication & Reporting

• Relay quality issues to department leads, supervisors, and the management team
• Maintain clear, accurate communication and record-keeping to support quality and food safety expectations

Additional Duties

• Conduct environmental testing as needed and per customer request, including air quality monitoring
• Verify and audit incoming materials through the Material Receiving Program
• Maintain and update all Allergen Program documentation
• Coordinate with production on disposition of on-hold ingredients, product, or makeup
• Participate in customer and regulatory inspections (AIB, HACCP, FDA, SQF)
• Assume additional duties as assigned in the absence of the Quality Systems Manager, working alongside the Quality Technician, Compliance Manager, and Product Compliance and Development Technologist

Food Safety, Legality & Quality Standards

• Enforce all quality and food safety programs
• Ensure documentation accuracy and compliant record-keeping
• Accurately read, comprehend, and complete required forms
• Identify and act to prevent food safety, legality, and quality issues
• Follow and enforce procedures outlined in the Food Safety and Quality Manual to maintain GFSI compliance and support third-party audits

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Keen attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving abilities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Surge is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by law. Surge is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

IND2