Risk Specialist I,Product Safety Assurance,Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS Job Austin area,Texas USA,Quality Assurance

Position: Risk Specialist I , Product Safety Assurance, Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS)

Risk Specialist I , Product Safety Assurance, Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS)

Collaborate with Product Safety Assurance Specialists, Product Developers, Nutrition Compliance Analysts, Private Brands (PB) Merchandising Team, and Suppliers. Lead the development of product safety specifications and associated requirements for assigned food products sold by Worldwide Grocery Stores (WWGS) under Private Brands. This includes reviewing specifications and testing results to ensure consistent product safety for our customers.

Contribute to commercialization activities by providing technical guidance to help ensure products will meet WWGS PB, safety, regulatory and Quality Standards.

Key Job Responsibilities

Develop appropriate chemical, microbiological, physical, and shelf-life test requirements for products based on supplier data, existing testing profiles, all applicable regulatory requirements, food safety or product safety risk, and all WWGS specific requirements
Review applicable product claims and statements and determine criteria for claim validation
Partner with Product Developers to incorporate characterizing product attributes into the testing profile
Review Supplier Quality Reports and Facility Risk Assessments to determine appropriate risk of product and facility and adjust specification or verification plans accordingly
Review Supplier Food Safety Plans, product risk assessments, and applicable facility documents to develop product testing profiles
Review Supplier documents and test results to ensure adherence to WWGS PB and regulatory standards, and adherence to agreed WWGS testing profiles
Partner with their Team Lead, WWGS legal team, and cross-functional stakeholders to determine product testing needs to meet state, federal, and international regulatory requirements. Present findings, recommendations, and project decisions to leaders up to 3 tiers above level, as needed
Review and approve shelf-life study validation parameters with Suppliers for new and existing products
Partner with appropriate stakeholders as needed to determine product performance acceptability and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) plans for out of specification test results
Monitor existing product test results for compliance with ongoing periodic testing per the agreed testing profiles
Collaborate with relevant stakeholders on interpretation of data trends, product improvement activities, and test results, as needed
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to ensure products meet WWGS PB Quality Standards and regulatory requirements throughout the lifespan of the product
Provide informal support and guidance to less experienced team members, as needed

Qualifications

Experience working cross functionally across several teams
BA/BS degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
2 to 4 years relevant experience in food retail, CPG manufacturing, or product safety and quality OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Experience working with suppliers and testing specifications
Experience working in a food and/or non-food quality control or assurance department, including familiarity with product safety risk assessment, regulatory compliance (state, federal, and international), and specification development
Excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities, including developing appropriate milestones, managing schedules, and balancing resources and a bias for action to deliver against rapid development timelines
Proficient Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Excel, Word); database experience preferred
Ability to work effectively, independently and within a team. Ability to make decisions or judgments and know when to seek subject matter expert opinion
Ability to travel domestically up to 20% of time; minimal international travel expectations
Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
Ability to have fun and enable others to have fun while achieving results
HACCP certification and/or PCQI certification

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with natural and…