Quality Specialist

Location:

Memphis, TN Area

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 10 PM - 6 AM (Night Shift)

Status:
Full-Time, Salaried

On-Call:
Weekend support as needed

We are seeking a Quality Specialist to support food safety and quality operations within a fast-paced food manufacturing facility. This position serves as the lead quality representative for the assigned shift and provides oversight across multiple departments to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.

The Quality Specialist will work closely with Production, Sanitation, and Warehouse/Operations teams to maintain product quality standards, investigate quality concerns, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires strong knowledge of microbiology, food safety programs, and manufacturing quality systems.

• Serve as the primary Quality Specialist for the night shift, providing quality leadership and support across three operational departments.
• Monitor compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, and company quality standards.
• Conduct routine floor audits, inspections, and verification activities throughout the facility.
• Review and evaluate microbiological testing results, environmental monitoring data, and quality trends.
• Investigate product quality issues, customer complaints, deviations, and non-conformances.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Partner with Production, Sanitation, and Operations teams to ensure quality standards are consistently met.
• Verify process controls, sanitation effectiveness, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, records, and reports.
• Assist with internal audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.
• Provide training and coaching to production employees on food safety, quality, and GMP requirements.
• Escalate significant food safety or quality concerns to management as necessary.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects focused on quality and process optimization.
• Provide on-call quality support during weekends and off-shift situations as needed.

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field preferred.

2+ years of quality assurance, food safety, microbiology, or quality systems experience in a food manufacturing environment.

• GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices)
• HACCP
• SQF, BRC, or other GFSI food safety standards
• Environmental monitoring programs
• Microbiological testing and food safety principles
• CAPA and root cause analysis

Ability to work independently and make sound quality-related decisions during off-shift hours.

Strong communication, investigation, and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality documentation systems.

Experience supporting microbiology programs within a food manufacturing facility.

Previous experience serving as a quality lead or shift quality representative.

Knowledge of FDA, USDA, and food industry regulatory requirements.

Certification in HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner, or related food safety programs is a plus.

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Career growth opportunities within a growing food manufacturing organization.

This position is ideal for a quality professional with a strong microbiology background who enjoys working cross-functionally, leading quality initiatives during off-shift operations, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and product quality.

Quality assurance, Gmp, Quality control, Audit,…