FSQA Associate

The role

The FSQA Associate manages the execution of the food safety and quality program. This includes scheduling routine production testing, making hold/release decisions, and triaging quality complaints.

What you will do

• Schedule and coordinate micro testing across all SKUs
• Manage the end-to-end lab submission cycle from sample collection to results review
• Execute monthly hold/release decisions across all SKUs
• Monitor the CS-Food channel and triage incoming complaints
• Resolve low-complexity complaints and escalate high-impact issues
• Open and document formal quality investigations
• Gather supporting evidence including lab results and batch records
• Draft investigation reports and CAPA documentation
• Log test results, hold/release decisions, and complaint data into internal trackers
• Maintain the co-man and supplier quality document library

Required 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 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
• Willing to travel

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

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Fully paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• 4-day work week
• Unlimited PTO
• Free cat food every month

About the company

Smalls is a premium DTC cat food and cat lifestyle brand. They make fresh, human-grade food for cats.