Food Safety Specialist

We are seeking a QRC Specialist:
Innovation to support a fast-growing innovation portfolio within the protein, functional, and “better-for-you” product space. This role focuses on enabling speed to market while ensuring food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across new product development initiatives, including non-traditional and joint venture models.

Working cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Packaging, and Commercial teams, you will play a critical role in early-stage innovation and agile product development. This is a dynamic position requiring adaptability, strong technical expertise, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

• Serve as the QRC lead for innovation projects, ensuring food safety and quality considerations are integrated into development and execution
• Support front-end innovation, joint ventures, and new product initiatives in protein and functional food categories
• Conduct Quality Design Reviews and communicate key learnings across regional teams
• Lead ingredient and packaging approval processes, including supplier and material assessments
• Develop and maintain food safety, quality, and regulatory documentation
• Perform quality system assessments across suppliers, manufacturing sites, and distribution networks
• Provide on-site support during product trials and production runs
• Investigate and resolve quality issues in collaboration with manufacturing, logistics, and distribution teams
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards, and internal policies
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement best practices, technologies, and global standards
• Support inclusion of quality and regulatory requirements in supplier and partner agreements
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using audit data, KPIs, and benchmarking

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food quality, food safety, or a related field
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, FDA regulations, and food safety standards
• Experience in food manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting new product development and product lifecycle processes
• Understanding of diverse manufacturing processes (e.g., dairy, confectionery, snacks, grains, nuts, extrusion, etc.)
• Ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex quality issues
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

• Experience with protein, functional foods, or “better-for-you” product categories
• FDA PCQI certification
• Familiarity with SAP and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams
• Experience working with external manufacturing partners or joint ventures