Position Summary:

The Quality Assurance Product Specialist provides product quality and technical support to Procurement, Merchandising, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to ensure customer satisfaction with Gordon Food Service private label products.  Collaborates with suppliers and Gordon Food Service staff to assure product quality and safety expectations are consistently met, including performance of product failure investigations across the entire supply chain as necessary.

What you’ll do:

• Collaborates with suppliers and merchandising and marketing to define product specifications and maintain final written specifications.

• Supports the private label packaging process by managing the collection and review of  product specifications and requesting first production samples as required.

• Leads evaluation of samples of existing, new, and newly transitioned products to confirm compliance to specifications.  This may require the use of general kitchen equipment (e.g., stove, oven, grill, microwave, deep fryer, etc.).

• Utilizes product knowledge to support the Brands and Category Team during the product development process.

• Executes activity based on Supplier Risk Assessments. e.g., quarterly reporting, product evaluations

• Performs product complaint and quality failure investigations and corrective action follow-up with suppliers and Gordon Food Service staff where appropriate to ensure product safety and quality.

• Supports the Category Market Review process by providing product specification information for release to potential suppliers.

• Leads the Category Team in the transition of private brand products and specifications between suppliers.

• Attends Vendor Business Reviews, as requested by the Category Team, to review quality-related performance (audits, complaints, etc.)

• Maintains, enhances and communicates job-related standard operating procedures, work instructions, policies and job aids.

• Assists with assessing impact of proposed and/or new regulations to private brand products.  Communicates requirements to affected stakeholders and ensures compliance.

• Participates in Gordon Food Service quality system or product quality improvement projects as assigned.

• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

When you will work:

• Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Hybrid schedule in Wyoming, MI. 4 days in the office with 1 day remote.

What you’ll bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology or related field preferred.

• 3 years of previous experience in quality assurance, quality control, product development and/or food safety preferred.

• Must be detail-oriented and display good project management and organizational skills.  

• Must be able to prioritize, and schedule accordingly, on own multiple tasks simultaneously.  Must be comfortable with swift change in daily routine to address urgent matters.

• Must possess and display excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Must be able to work collaboratively with a variety of teams and individuals, including possessing the willingness to engage with others and be challenged.

• Must have the ability to listen, interpret, and determine appropriate direction based on general rules, processes, and feedback from others.

• Must possess and display good problem solving skills.