Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist (Manufacturing Plant)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Specialist supports the FSQA and plant operations team by performing food safety and quality assurance tasks.  This role helps ensure compliance with Portillo’s food safety and quality policies as well as ensuring GFSI, USDA, and FDA FSMA standards are met in building areas including production and warehousing operations.  The FSQA Specialist executes inspections, testing, and documentation to support compliant food production.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with implementation of food safety and quality assurance programs and ensure they are followed
• Perform audits such as glass and brittle plastic inspections
• Support preparation for internal, USDA, and third-party audits
• Assist USDA inspector when needed
• Manage product holds and non-conformances, including documentation, reporting, and destruction
• Collect environmental and microbiological samples and submit to third-party labs as required
• Conduct sanitation verifications, including ATP testing and clean-up inspections as required in the Master Sanitation Schedule
• Execute environmental program swabbing in required zones, evaluate test results, support vector swab follow up, and ensure proper cleaning
• Conduct pest control checks, KPI reporting, and monthly GMP inspections
• Work with the FSQA team on SCAR submissions
• Support with deviations, change management, and CAPA
• Monitor HACCP temperature program and escalate issues as needed
• Support equipment calibration activities (thermometers, metal detectors, micrometers, scales, etc.)
• Conduct daily routine quality checks (weights, thickness, labels, oxygen, packaging, etc.)
• Maintain and update FSQA documentation, ensuring timely completion and compliance
• Generate maintenance work requests related to food safety and/or quality
• Inventory chemicals and support the ordering process
• Conduct boot, locker room, and cafeteria inspections
• Perform sanitation pre-operational inspections and finalize daily pre-shipment reports
• Hours are 5:30am to 3/3:30pm
• Communicate issues clearly to the FSQA Supervisor and plant management
• Ensure all safety requirements related to sanitation are met including proper chemical storage, SDS, PPE and proper procedures
• Other duties as assigned

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the FSQA Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• 2+ years of food safety or quality assurance experience in a manufacturing or food production environment (5 years preferred)
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
• Knowledge of government regulatory requirements in food (USDA, FDA, FSMA)
• Knowledge and experience with GFSI, SQF, GMP’s, Sanitation, pest control, food safety, and HACCP systems
• Strong attention to detail with ability to follow procedures consistently
• Troubleshooting and basic investigative skills
• Effective communication and organizational skills

Educational Level/Certifications

• High School diploma or GED required
• HACCP certification preferred; PCQI certification a plus

What's in it for you?

Hot dog! The pay range for this role is $20.25 per hour. This position is also served with:

• Career advancement opportunities
• Quarterly Portillo’s gift cards
• Perks and discounts - access to hundreds of discounts from movie tickets to gym memberships and more
• Daily Pay: Access your pay when you need it!

Working full time (30 hours or more per week)?  You’ll also be eligible for a bun-believable benefits package that includes:

• Your choice of health insurance from among three medical plans (including a PPO), two dental plans, and a vision plan
• Time off
• Our 401(k) with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts - healthcare and dependent care
• Beef Stock – our Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Voluntary Benefits like pet insurance, critical illness coverage, and identity theft insurance
• Learn more about our benefits here

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required.  The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned. This job may be reviewed as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.