Quality Assurance Specialist

Quality Assurance Specialist I

Location: Buffalo, New York.

Work hours: Tuesday-Friday 7:00 am - 4:30 pm and Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (flexible if needed).

The QA Specialist will assist the QA Manager in managing process deviation investigations and quality hold resolutions, support projects related to new or changing products, and maintain and update processes including environmental testing, reporting, product sampling, and ingredient testing.

• Environmental Monitoring Program
  • Sampling & Swabbing Program – support Environmental Monitoring Program; includes Finished Product Sampling, Swabbing, and Environmental Sampling.
  • Manages shipments of samples and manages reported results.
• Responsible for Air Monitoring and Water Sampling Programs: sample collection, preparation, result interpretation and reporting, facilitation of corrective action.
• Understand raw to pasteurized product flow, high to low‑risk zones and airflow monitoring, preventing cross‑contamination of samples.
• Collect/prepare samples for management review and sensory evaluation.
• Participate in Plant Sensory Jury, including consumption of dairy products.
• Provide management with quality and food safety information: deliver data/observations; communicate issues such as out‑of‑spec analytics and microbiological results.
• Execute quality assurance programs to prevent or eliminate defects in new or existing products.
• Understand NYCRR PART 2 of the Agriculture & Markets Law for monthly sampling and 90‑day sanitation audits.
• Support Quality Systems Manager in implementing requirements laid out by FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001, including GM‑P/Audits, Glass & Hard Plastic Audits and Metal Detector Audits.
• Establish, implement, and continuously improve quality/food safety programs: GMP/Hygiene, HACCP, Allergen Control, Hold & Release, Cleaning & Sanitation, CAPA, Pest Management, Traceability & Recall, Customer Feedback, GFSI Standard, Organic & other System Certifications etc.
• Use ERP system to release products based on established criteria, create and dispose holds.
• Behave professionally and represent the company with highest ethical standards.
• Provide support to lab staff as needed, deploy investigations as assigned or requested.
• Obtain NYS licenses for Milk Receiving & Antibiotic Testing, HTST/Pasteurization and testing requirements.

• High School Diploma required.

• 0-2 years (entry level).
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds (consistently).
• Proficiency in MS Access, Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently.
• Sense of responsibility and willingness to go above and beyond.
• Previous plant or quality experience a plus but not required.
• Good time management and prioritization required.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively when required.
• Ability to learn and become proficient in software platforms is essential for job execution.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations.