Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

Housing and Food Services at Penn State is seeking a highly motivated Food Safety & Quality Assurance Specialist to lead and maintain comprehensive food safety, allergen management, food defense, and quality assurance programs supporting Penn State Bakery and Warehouse operations.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring products are safe, consistently produced, meet regulatory requirements, and exceed customer expectations. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with bakery production, warehouse operations, purchasing, and leadership teams to develop, implement, and continuously improve food safety and quality systems.

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety, Food Defense & Regulatory Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain HACCP plans, Preventive Controls programs, and other food safety documentation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local food safety regulations.
• Establish and monitor Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation standards, allergen controls, and food safety procedures.
• Conduct routine food safety inspections and maintain required records and documentation.
• Support regulatory inspections, third-party audits, and compliance reviews.
• Monitor changes in food safety regulations and communicate impacts to operations.
• Develop and maintain Food Defense and Food Security programs, including vulnerability assessments, access controls, visitor management, and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate food defense training and maintain food defense plans.

Quality Assurance & Product Compliance

• Establish and maintain finished product specifications and quality standards.
• Investigate quality concerns, perform root cause analyses, and oversee corrective actions.
• Create, review, and maintain compliant product labels.
• Verify ingredient statements, allergen declarations, nutritional information, and other required labeling elements.
• Evaluate formulation, ingredient, supplier, and packaging changes for food safety, regulatory, and quality impacts.
• Support new product launches and process improvements.

Allergen Management

• Develop and oversee allergen control programs for Bakery and Warehouse operations.
• Implement procedures to prevent allergen cross-contact.
• Verify cleaning, sanitation, and product changeover procedures.
• Collaborate with production teams to develop allergen-conscious scheduling practices.
• Maintain ingredient specifications and allergen information within menu management systems.
• Deliver allergen awareness training to employees.

Sanitation & Environmental Monitoring

• Develop and monitor sanitation procedures, schedules, and verification programs.
• Oversee environmental monitoring and testing activities.
• Verify cleaning and sanitizing effectiveness for facilities, equipment, and food-contact surfaces.
• Monitor temperature controls, cold chain management, and storage requirements.
• Investigate temperature deviations and coordinate corrective actions.
• Manage pest control programs and verify completion of preventive measures.

Auditing, Traceability & Recall Readiness

• Develop audit schedules, inspection tools, and compliance tracking systems.
• Conduct internal food safety and quality audits.
• Maintain documentation required for regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
• Develop and test traceability and recall programs.
• Conduct mock recalls and evaluate system effectiveness.
• Support product holds, recalls, investigations, and disposition decisions.

Supplier & Ingredient Quality

• Support supplier evaluation and approval processes.
• Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs), supplier documentation, specifications, and food safety records.
• Monitor ingredient and packaging quality and resolve supplier quality concerns.
• Coordinate corrective actions and supplier follow-up activities when necessary.

Training & Leadership Support

• Develop and deliver food safety, quality, sanitation, allergen, and GMP training programs.
• Maintain training records and support employee development.
• Coach employees and supervisors on food safety and quality expectations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for food safety and quality-related questions.
• Provide operational and supervisory support for Bakery and Warehouse operations as needed.
• Act as a liaison between quality assurance, production teams, warehouse operations, and leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Animal Science, Microbiology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and four years of relevant experience.
• ServSafe Certification.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining food safety and quality management systems.
• Experience conducting audits and managing corrective and preventive action programs.
• Knowledge of FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food requirements.
• Knowledge of food allergen regulations and labeling requirements.
• Experience with food labeling, ingredient declarations, and nutritional compliance.
• Strong analytical, documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively train, coach, and influence employees at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across production, warehouse, culinary, purchasing, and leadership teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• ServSafe Instructor Certification.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) Certification.
• Experience in bakery, food manufacturing, food production, or warehouse operations.
• Experience with environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, and food defense programs.
• Experience managing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and supplier quality programs.

What You'll Bring

• A passion for food safety and quality excellence.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with operational effectiveness.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and risk mitigation.
• Leadership skills that foster accountability, collaboration, and employee engagement.

At Penn State Housing and Food Services, you'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on food safety, quality, and customer satisfaction while supporting one of the nation's leading university dining programs. You'll work alongside dedicated professionals committed to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering exceptional products and services to the Penn State community

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $94,980.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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