[Hiring] FSQA Associate @Smalls

Role Description

We're looking for an FSQA Associate to own the execution engine behind our food safety and quality program — the routine testing, hold/release decisions, and CS quality triage that keep product moving safely across our co-man and 3PL network. You'll be the first line of defense on quality, keeping a complex, high-volume operational program on schedule so the Sr. Manager, FSQA can focus on strategy, investigations, and regulatory judgment calls.

This is for someone who is meticulous, comfortable with high-volume documentation, communicative across many stakeholders (co-mans, labs, 3PLs, ops), and energized by keeping a complex operational program on schedule.

Core Responsibilities

• Routine Production Testing & Hold/Release (≈40% of time)
  • Schedule and coordinate micro testing across all SKUs (smooth/ground, pulled, freeze-dried, lickable, broth, treats).
  • Generate and track lab submission forms for micro tests; manage the end-to-end cycle from sample collection through lab turnaround, results review, and release.
  • Execute hold/release decisions across all SKUs each month.
  • Review cutting forms, log results, send release emails, and maintain release records.
  • Coordinate production verification and nutritional testing each month.
• CS Quality Liaison (≈20% of time)
  • Monitor the CS-Food channel as the primary QA point of contact.
  • Triage incoming complaints within hours: classify severity, request additional info from CS, and determine whether an issue is cosmetic, food safety, or requires a formal investigation.
  • Resolve low-complexity complaints directly with CS; escalate food safety and high-impact issues to the Sr. Manager, FSQA with a clean handoff packet.
  • Own complaint response SLAs — triage within hours, resolution within 2–3 days for non-investigation issues.
• Complaint & Food Safety Investigation Support (≈15% of time)
  • Open and document formal quality investigations under the direction of the Sr. Manager, FSQA.
  • Gather supporting evidence: lab results, batch records, cutting forms, supplier COAs, and CS complaint history.
  • Coordinate with co-mans and suppliers to collect root cause data.
  • Draft investigation reports and CAPA documentation for the Sr. Manager, FSQA's review and sign-off.
  • Support food safety investigations (e.g., micro, raw materials, food production records).
• Data Input, Documentation & Reporting (≈20% of time)
  • Log all test results, hold/release decisions, and complaint data into the internal compliant trackers.
  • Maintain the co-man and supplier quality document library — chase certificates, food safety docs, EPR packaging info, and keep documents current.
  • Produce the weekly QA digest (internal compliant trackers, CS-Food channel summary, weekly team meeting highlights).
  • Pull data inputs for the Sr. Manager, FSQA's period reporting and trend analyses.
• Cross-Functional Coordination (≈5% of time)
  • Participate in co-man and 3PL quality calls as the standing QA representative.
  • Handle communication with 3PLs — hold/release instructions, tickets, and sample inspections.
  • Communicate with the CS team to address customer food quality inquiries and complaints, providing investigation results and feedback.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in a food, beverage, or pet food QA role.
• Working knowledge of micro testing protocols (APC, listeria, salmonella, E. coli) and lab coordination workflows.
• Strong communicator — comfortable working across co-mans, labs, CS, and internal ops via Slack and email.
• Demonstrated attention to detail with high-volume documentation work.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and the operational tempo of a fast-growing CPG.

Nice to have

• HACCP and/or PCQI certification.
• Prior experience with co-man networks and SARF/cutting form workflows.
• Pet food, fresh food, or freeze-dried manufacturing experience.
• Exposure to investigation/CAPA methodology.
• Comfort with AI-assisted workflows.