Food Safety & QA Systems Specialist

Location: Pico Rivera, CA (On-site)Company: De Silva Brothers & CompanyCompensation: $72,000 – $82,000 per year (DOE)About UsEstablished in 1955, De Silva Brothers & Company has evolved from humble beginnings in Sri Lanka to becoming a leading importer, manufacturer, and distributor of premium spices, herbs, and blends in the United States. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the company offers comprehensive services including blend development, custom mixing, co-packaging, and private labeling, catering to food manufacturers, retailers, and private labels nationwide.Position SummaryThe Food Safety & QA Systems Specialist is responsible for supporting and maintaining the company’s food safety, quality assurance, and compliance programs. This role works closely with the QA Manager, production, sanitation, purchasing, warehouse, and operations teams to ensure that all products are manufactured, stored, and distributed in compliance with company standards, customer requirements, regulatory requirements, and food safety programs.The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, hands-on, and comfortable working in both an office/documentation environment and a production facility.Key ResponsibilitiesFood Safety & ComplianceSupport the implementation and maintenance of the company’s food safety and quality management systems.Maintain and assist with HACCP, GMP, Food Safety Plan, Preventive Controls, allergen control, sanitation, traceability, and recall programs.Assist in ensuring compliance with FDA, FSMA, customer, Kosher, GMP, HACCP, and company requirements.Help prepare for internal audits, customer audits, third-party audits, and regulatory inspections.Conduct routine GMP, sanitation, and food safety inspections throughout the facility.Support mock recalls, traceability exercises, and corrective action follow-ups.QA Systems & DocumentationMaintain QA records, logs, forms, SOPs, policies, specifications, and food safety documentation.Review production, sanitation, receiving, and quality records for completeness and accuracy.Assist with document control, version control, and record retention.Support the creation, revision, and implementation of SOPs, work instructions, and QA forms.Track and organize certificates, COAs, supplier documents, customer documentation, and compliance records.Corrective Actions & Continuous ImprovementAssist with investigations related to nonconforming products, customer complaints, foreign material, allergen issues, sanitation deviations, and process failures.Support root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action tracking.Monitor trends in quality issues, customer complaints, holds, rejects, and audit findings.Work with production and operations teams to improve quality performance and reduce repeat issues.Training & Cross-Functional SupportAssist in developing and conducting employee training related to GMPs, allergens, food safety, sanitation, and quality procedures.Support onboarding and refresher training for production, warehouse, sanitation, and QA employees.Serve as a resource to production and operations teams regarding food safety and QA requirements.Communicate quality and food safety concerns clearly and professionally to supervisors and managers.Qualifications Required2+ years of experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance, food safety, or regulatory compliance.Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, allergen control, and food safety practices.Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.Ability to work independently and follow up on open items.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook.Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and walk the production floor as needed.PreferredPCQI certification.HACCP certification.Internal auditor training or audit experience.Experience with FDA-regulated food manufacturing.Experience with spices, seasonings, dry blending, ingredients, co-packing, or private label manufacturing.Knowledge of Kosher, organic, non-GMO, SQF, BRC, or other third-party certification programs.Experience with customer portals, COAs, specifications, and supplier documentation.Skills & CompetenciesStrong organizational and follow-up skills.High level of accuracy with records and documentation.Practical understanding of food safety risks in a manufacturing environment.Ability to identify issues and escalate concerns appropriately.Comfortable working cross-functionally with QA, production, sanitation, purchasing, warehouse, and management.Problem-solving mindset with a focus on prevention and continuous improvement.Professional communication style with employees, managers, customers, auditors, and vendors.Physical & Work Environment RequirementsAbility to work in a food manufacturing environment.Ability to stand, walk, bend, and inspect production and warehouse areas.May be exposed to food ingredients, spices, powders, allergens, noise, and varying temperatures.Must follow all GMP, PPE, hygiene, and food safety requirements.Occasional flexibility in schedule may be required for audits, inspections, training, or production needs.Reporting StructureThis position reports to the QA Manager and works closely with QA Technicians, Production Supervisors, Sanitation, Warehouse, Purchasing, and Operations.Example Job Posting IntroWe are seeking a Food Safety & QA Systems Specialist to help support and strengthen our food safety, quality assurance, and compliance programs. This role is ideal for someone with strong documentation skills, food manufacturing experience, and a hands-on understanding of GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, allergens, audits, and corrective actions.The Food Safety & QA Systems Specialist will play a key role in maintaining food safety records, supporting audits, reviewing QA documentation, assisting with corrective actions, and helping ensure our facility continues to meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.What We OfferCompetitive salary ($72,000 – $82,000 per year, depending on experience).Health / Vison / Dental benefitsVacation / Sick Days401K /401K Match A collaborative, quality-first workplace culture.