Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance

Your Opportunity as the Quality Assurance Senior Specialist

The QA Senior Specialist will train and coach appropriate personnel within the plant on the criticality of GMP, Food Safety, Business risk and Quality Management System activities and give recommendations and guidance to organization management on best practices.

Location: 1525 Industrial Rd, Emporia, KS 66801 (Hostess Manufacturing Plant)

Work Arrangements: 100% on-site; Day Shift Mon-Fri (flexibility required to support weekends and off-shifts as needed)

In this Role You Will:

• Own and manage the facility holds program, including creation of holds in applicable systems, updating and reconciling hold records, and training Quality Technicians to ensure full competency in executing the hold process.

• Own the lab equipment program, including preventive maintenance, third-party calibration of critical equipment, and technician training on proper operation, cleaning, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

• Lead investigations into quality-related issues, preparing clear presentations that outline the event timeline, root cause, corrective and preventive actions, and lessons learned; support cross-functional teams in similar non-QA driven investigations.

• Maintain accurate inventory of lab consumables and equipment parts, partnering closely with Plant Procurement to ensure timely ordering and availability of critical supplies

• Support and maintain key quality software platforms, serving as department SME for troubleshooting, training, and optimizing system usage.

• Coordinate third-party finished goods testing and ensure adherence to established testing standards and protocols to maintain product quality and compliance.

• Own multiple Quality Assurance Key Elements that are essential to the site's success.

• Participate in daily cross-functional meetings to support collaboration, resolve quality-related issues, and ensure alignment of operational priorities.

• Conduct one-on-one meetings with Quality Technicians to support individual and team growth.

• Actively contribute as a core member of the Food Safety Team and the Quality Pillar, driving cross-functional collaboration and leading continuous improvement initiatives focused on food safety, quality systems, and operational excellence.

• Conduct quarterly internal audits and monthly inspections to ensure compliance with personal safety, food safety/quality, and GMP standards.

• Serve as the primary contact for external vendors related to quality equipment and supplies, ensuring effective communication and coordination to support operational needs.

• Participate in product recall and mock recall exercises to ensure preparedness and compliance with regulatory and company standards.

• Provide backup coverage for Quality Technicians as needed to maintain continuity of operations and support team flexibility.

• Participate in external inspections and site-level quality programs to support compliance, continuous improvement, and audit readiness.

• Maintain open communication with the production team to ensure integrity of raw materials and finished product.

• Provide technical food safety and quality support to Operations, Maintenance, Sanitation, and other departments, with a focus on continuous improvement, consumer and customer requirements, and consistent product quality.

The Right Role for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What We are Looking For:

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• 3+ years of quality assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment

• Working knowledge of food manufacturing quality systems, including product hold processes, laboratory testing equipment, and quality data collection and processing systems.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities - ability to teach, lead and develop others

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, meat science, microbiology, or other related science degree is strongly preferred

• Prior people management experience

• Analytical skills - ability to conduct Root Cause Analysis (Fishbone, 5-Why, etc.) and statistical process control for quality monitoring, improvements, and problem-solving

• PCQI and / or HACCP certification

• Prior bakery experience

• Knowledge of regulatory bodies (FDA/USDA) and BRCGS, or similar standard inspection procedures

• Understanding and knowledge of SOP's, food plant safety, GMP's (Good Manufacturing Practices), HACCP, and other programs/policies within food manufacturing

• Strong presentation and training skills

Work Environment: This job operates in a manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment and manufacturing sites can be high.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to talk and hear.

• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

• Able to lift objects up to 50 pounds frequently.

• May push and pull heavy trash carts, dough carts, portable equipment, and catch pans.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Learn More About Working at Smucker

Helping our Employees Thrive

Delivering on Our Purpose

Our Continued Commitment to Ensuring a Workplace for All

Follow us on LinkedIn

#LI-TJ1