Quality Assurance Specialist - Antigo, WI

SUMMARY

The Quality Specialist serves as the senior on-site Food Safety and Quality representative for Antigo Creamery, providing technical leadership and oversight of the facility's food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this position is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation, verification, and continuous improvement of Sartori's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, SQF standards, and customer expectations.

The Quality Specialist partners closely with site Operations leadership to identify and mitigate risks, strengthen process controls, resolve nonconformances, and drive accountability for quality at the source. This position works Monday - Friday, 7am to 4pm with flexible starting and ending times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Leads site implementation, verification, and ongoing effectiveness of the Sartori Quality System, Safe Quality Food (SQF), and Quality Management System (QMS) programs.

· Partners with site leadership to establish and execute food safety and quality priorities

· Provides technical leadership and oversight of site food safety and quality programs for the manufacturing facility in compliance with 21 CFR Part 117 (CGMP, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food).

· Serves as the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and oversee PCQI activities, ensuring development, implementation, and verification and validation of the Food Safety Plan.

· Oversees internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and manage responses and corrective actions.

· Maintains and improves prerequisite programs (e.g., sanitation, allergen control, traceability, supplier verification).

· Analyzes performance trends, identifies systemic risks, and influences corrective actions to drive continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing processes and finished goods

· Leads risk-based investigations and verifies corrective action effectiveness (CAPA).

· Oversees compliance with FDA Food Code requirements applicable to the on-site retail store (e.g., employee hygiene, time/temperature control, storage, and sanitation)

· Conducts routine inspections and internal audits of the retail store to verify adherence to applicable health department regulations and food safety best practices

· Acts as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, health departments, and certification bodies

· Leads cross-functional training programs in GMP, HACCP, food code compliance, and company quality policies for both manufacturing and retail teams

· Collaborates with Procurement, Operations, and R&D teams to ensure supplier and product quality from sourcing to shelf

· Communicates with customers and suppliers regarding quality concerns and resolutions.

· Promotes a strong culture of food safety, quality, customer focus, and accountability.

· Responds immediately to any food safety or quality issue raised by team members.

SQF BACK UP PROVISION

Maintains compliance with Safe Quality Food (SQF) audit requirements and ensures ongoing food safety and quality across operations. The Plant Manager or designee serves as the backup to ensure the integrity of the SQF System.

DIRECT REPORTS

This position is not responsible for direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’s in Food Science or Microbiology or related scientific discipline is required. Prior experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree if currently pursuing a degree.

· Minimum 5 year of related experience in a food manufacturing facility is required. Experience in a dairy facility is preferred.

· Multilingual (English and Spanish) is preferred.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

· Alignment with Company Values: Demonstrates behaviors and values that reflect the company’s culture. Sartori’s core values are family, commitment, authenticity, ingenuity, integrity, and humility.

· Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex analytical insights to diverse audiences.

· Critical Thinking: Ability to identify and respond to needs based on an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information

· Continuous Improvement: Embodies a mindset focused on continuous improvement, leveraging analytics to drive transformational results.

· Coaching: Effectively coaches and mentors others, providing guidance that enhances performance and facilitates development while building confidence.

· Decision Quality: Makes informed, timely decisions using a blend of analytical insights, experience, and sound judgment.

· Relationship Building: Builds and maintains trusting relationships and alliances both inside and outside the organization, fostering collaboration and innovation.

· Results driven – Leverages a collaborative approach to achieve results that promote Sartori’s success.

CERTIFICATIONS

· Complete HACCP/PCQI certification program and SQF Practitioner status within 6 months of hire.

· Complete / maintain any other state-specific Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WORK LOCATION

This is an onsite position at our Antigo Creamery located in Antigo, WI.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional travel may be required to meet the needs of the business (estimated 10%).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The Team Member must regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK SETTING / ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

When entering the production facility, the Team Member is occasionally exposed to cold working conditions and/or moving mechanical parts. The noise level is moderate while in the plant. While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member may be exposed to hazardous substances as outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan. This position requires occasional off shift work.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by Team Members assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Sartori Company reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational and business needs as necessary.