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Depalo Foods · 1 week ago

QA Documentation Specialist

Belmont, NC

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

3+ years exp

DePalo Foods is a manufacturer of Italian savory goods, believing in connecting families through the food they eat at home. The QA Documentation Specialist is responsible for managing and maintaining all Quality Assurance and Food Safety documentation systems in a highly regulated food manufacturing facility, requiring in-depth knowledge of Preventive Controls, HACCP, SQF, FDA 21 CFR 117, and USDA regulations.

BakeryFood and BeverageFood ProcessingRecipes

Hiring Manager

Philip Piraino

Responsibilities

The QA Documentation Specialist is responsible for managing and maintaining all Quality Assurance and Food Safety documentation systems in a highly regulated food manufacturing facility (FDA, USDA-FSIS, and SQF-certified – Edition 9 or higher)

This is a hands-on compliance role that requires in-depth knowledge of Preventive Controls, HACCP, SQF, FDA 21 CFR 117, and USDA regulations

Develop, revise, and control all Food Safety Plan documentation, HACCP plans, Preventive Controls, SOPs, SSOPs, specifications, prerequisite programs, and verification/validation records

Serve as a key member or backup SQF Practitioner

Maintain the complete Food Safety Plan and ensure all supporting documentation is audit-ready at all times (FDA, USDA-FSIS, SQF, customer, and unannounced audits)

Manage change control, deviations, CAPAs, and recall/withdrawal documentation with full traceability

Prepare complete documentation packages for regulatory inspections (FDA, USDA-FSIS) and third-party SQF audits

Conduct and document verification/validation activities (process authority letters, challenge studies, environmental monitoring trend reports, etc.)

Lead or support mock recalls and ensure 100% traceability within 2 hours

Qualification

PCQI certificationSQF Practitioner designationQA/FS documentation experienceFDA 21 CFR Part 117USDA-FSIS regulationsElectronic document managementSQF Internal Auditor trainingHACCP certificationFSMA

Required

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field

Active PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification – FSPCA certificate required

Current SQF Practitioner designation or SQF Practitioner training certificate (must currently hold or obtain within 3 months of hire)

Minimum 3 years of QA/FS documentation experience in FDA- and/or USDA-regulated food manufacturing plants

Direct, hands-on experience with: – FDA 21 CFR Part 117 (Preventive Controls for Human Food) – USDA-FSIS regulations (9 CFR) if the plant produces meat/poultry products – Current SQF Food Safety Code (Edition 9 or higher)

Experience with electronic document management systems (MasterControl, TraceGains, SafetyChain, ETQ, etc.)

SQF Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor training

Knowledge of FSMA Intentional Adulteration / Food Defense

HACCP certification (recognized 2–3 day course)

Proven track record of building/maintaining Food Safety Plans and passing SQF audits with “Excellent” or “A” rating

Experience in facilities regulated by both FDA and USDA-FSIS

Trained backup for annual Food Safety Plan reanalysis

This role demands immediate contribution to SQF, FDA, and USDA compliance with no learning curve on the core certification schemes