Job Description
Job Description
Company Summary:
At Häns Kissle, we strive to deliver the simple goodness of home in every bite. Founded in 1984, Häns Kissle began as the regional commissary for a small, high-end grocery chain in New England, MA, crafting fresh, upscale prepared foods and deli salads. Today we have two manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts and North Carolina.
Job Summary:
The Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory (FSQR) Specialist ensures that all food manufacturing operations meet applicable regulatory, certification, and customer requirements while supporting and continuously improving the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Management System. This role is responsible for maintaining compliance with FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, GFSI (e.g., SQF), and other relevant standards. The position encompasses regulatory documentation, audit readiness, environmental monitoring, label review, supplier compliance, and verification/validation of food safety programs.
Key Responsibilities:
Regulatory Compliance
- Monitor and interpret changes in food safety regulations and industry standards (FDA, USDA, FSMA, HACCP, SQF, etc.); communicate updates to cross-functional teams.
- Maintain and manage regulatory documentation including product labels, claims, certifications (Kosher, Organic, Non-GMO), licenses, and supplier records.
- Review and approve ingredients, packaging, and labels to ensure compliance with food labeling laws, allergen declarations, and nutrition facts panel requirements.
- Prepare and submit regulatory filings; respond to inquiries from regulatory agencies and customers.
- Coordinate and support regulatory, customer, and third-party audits and certifications.
- Collaborating with R&D, coordinate, document and oversee shelf-life trials.
- Submit USDA label approvals and manage supporting documentation.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA)
- Coordinate, assist, manage or implement the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) as assigned: conduct and analyze environmental swabs (surface, air, water), maintain records, and trend results.
- Execute verification and validation activities for Preventive Controls, CCPs, and prerequisite programs; identify risks and implement corrective actions.
- Assist in overseeing sanitation activities to ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory standards, and food safety requirements; provide guidance, verification, and documentation to support audit readiness.
- Conduct internal audits to ensure facility-wide compliance with regulatory and GFSI requirements.
- Promptly report any food safety or quality concerns in accordance with company procedures, while ensuring full compliance with responsibilities outlined in SOPs, work instructions, and policies.
- Coordinate FSQA-related meetings as needed, including scheduling, preparing agendas, documenting minutes, and tracking follow-up actions to support continuous improvement and audit readiness.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities for non-conformances, customer complaints, and supplier violations.
- Collaborate with Production, R&D, Supply Chain, and other departments on new product development, process improvement, and regulatory risk assessment.
- At times and to support operational needs, act as a backup on the floor to cover absences, vacations, and/or special projects.
Training & Continuous Improvement
- Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Develop and conduct training for employees on food safety, regulatory compliance, and sanitation procedures.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in FSQA systems, waste reduction, and other plant wide initiatives.
- Support crisis management and recall readiness, including traceability exercises and documentation reviews.
- Assist FSQA management with daily program monitoring and departmental support.
Team Leadership & Development:
- Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Promote and enforce workplace safety policies and procedures.
Other
- Utilizing Redzone to monitor and continuously improving facility compliance and accurate record keeping while troubleshooting and resolving issues.
- Perform other assigned duties as required.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Education: High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- Experience: 2–4 years in food manufacturing, regulatory compliance, or quality assurance roles.
- Certifications (Preferred): HACCP, PCQI, SQF Practitioner, Internal Auditing.
- Skills:
- Strong leadership and effective communicator with strong documentation and organizational skills.
- Risk Based Decision Making, collaborating and communicating decisions (and the reasons behind them, the WHY) in a timely manner to adequately support operations and customer needs.
- Ability to analyze data, troubleshoot problems, and implement solutions.
- Experience with regulatory and third-party audits, food labeling, and EMP.
- Strong knowledge of food safety and quality regulations (HACCP, GMP, SQF, USDA, FDA).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and compliance or quality management systems.
- Bi-lingual in both English and Spanish is preferred.
Work Environment & Expectations:
- Office/Lab (50%) – Examples include Data analysis, documentation, and sample preparation.
- Plant Floor (50%) – Refrigerated and wet environments; requires lifting and standing.
Must be able to work flexible shifts, including weekends and holidays as needed. This is a salaried position. Work hours may vary and standard shifts may extend beyond 8 hours, flexibility is expected to meet the needs of the business.
We Take Care of Our Team
Position offers a starting salary range of $53,200 - $89,000 USD
Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
Benefits include annual target bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 5%, Starting at 3 weeks paid time off; 10+ calendar holidays; up to 12 weeks paid parental bonding leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; pet insurance, legal shield and identity theft protection; short-term and long-term disability plans.
Hans Kissle takes pride in its people and product. We strongly believe in our philosophy to uphold the highest level of integrity in everything we do. Each employee is expected to understand and act appropriately per our philosophy and policies. This job description reflects essential functions assigned by management which are subject to change at any time
**********STAFFING AGENCIES AND RECRUITING FIRMS - PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT HANS KISSLE FOR THIS ROLE**********
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