FSQA Technical Consultant - CQA, Lakeland

Help protect the quality and safety behind the Publix brand. As a Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Technical Consultant, you’ll play an important role in maintaining and enhancing the food safety, and quality of Publix store brand products, packaging, and ingredients supporting our Fresh and Grocery Retail Business Units (RBUs), as well as packaging and ingredient suppliers to Manufacturing. You’ll conduct rigorous food safety and product quality assessments during category reviews, providing critical expertise that helps guide supplier and product selection. This is an opportunity to use your food safety and quality expertise to make an impact on the products associated with the Publix name.
Why Publix? At Publix, our associates are more than employees, they’re owners. As the nation’s largest employee-owned supermarket chain, Publix offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career with a company that invests in its people. From stock ownership and comprehensive benefits to ongoing development and advancement opportunities, Publix provides more than a job. It’s a place where you can grow your career, contribute your expertise, and share in the success you help create.

Responsibilities include

• evaluate supplier food safety and quality assurance programs during Speed to Market and other review processes, including audits, regulatory compliance (FDA, USDA, USDA-FSIS, FDA-FSVP, EPA), and supplier documentation
• analyze laboratory data and facility systems, including HACCP, GMPs, and preventive controls, to determine supplier suitability and risk
• manage special projects to enhance our position as a leader in food safety and quality assurance
• provide regulatory compliance support to the leadership of Corporate Quality Assurance (CQA) and RBU partners relating primarily to food safety and product quality, including unplanned situations
• lead continuous food safety quality improvement efforts that drive enhancements for Publix store brand products and national brand items
• achieve regulatory compliance support for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs that are subject to FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or related to biological sciences, microbiology, chemistry, and/or engineering OR Bachelor’s Degree in any field AND at least two additional years of relevant food safety and quality assurance experience
• Must have one of the following:

• at least five years of experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, or Corporate Quality Assurance OR
• at least three years of experience in food safety and quality assurance in one or more of the aforementioned environments AND a Master’s or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or a related field OR
• at least three years of Publix experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, Corporate Quality Assurance, Distribution, Corporate Purchasing or Manufacturing Supply Chain

• must be at least 20 years of age with a valid driver’s license to operate a company vehicle

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree OR Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or related field
• Must have one of the following:

• at least seven years of experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, or Corporate Quality Assurance OR
• at least four years of experience in food safety and quality assurance within the aforementioned environments AND a Master’s or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or a related field OR
• at least six years of Publix experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, Corporate Quality Assurance, Distribution, Corporate Purchasing or Manufacturing Supply Chain

• FDA FSMA - Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
• FDA FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) Qualified Individual
• HACCP Certification
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) - Certified Food Safety and Quality Assurance Auditor
• Professional Animal Auditor Organization (PAACO) certifications for dairy, poultry, and meat plants
• Produce Food Safety Alliance Certification
• intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• knowledge of Microbiology, Chemical Safety, Public Health, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare Standards
• in-depth knowledge of GFSI and Certified Program Owner audit formats such as Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and British Retail Consortium (BRC), including the application of auditor competence and alignment to food safety laws
• knowledge and understanding of all US federal agency labeling regulations including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), US Department of Agriculture Marketing Services (USDA AMS), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), US Federal Trade Commission (US FTC), US Customs and Border Protection (US Customs), US Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) as well as state and local rules and regulations
• knowledge of current regulatory positions of all US federal agencies and respected industry sources to understand the changes in regulation codes and guidance that are required or advised in the best interest of Publix.

This includes:

• FDA initiatives under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) umbrella
• improving the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) pathway to require more FDA oversight of food additives
• re-defining ultra-processed foods in partnership with the USDA
• improving transparency using front of package labeling and/or FDA “healthy” logo

• Have in-depth knowledge of Federal requirements regarding Food Safety compliance which includes: 

• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• Preventive Controls
• Traceability Rule
• Intentional Adulteration
• Sanitary Transportation
• Produce Safety
• HACCP

• Knowledge of Publix policies, departments, code of ethics, philosophy, mission and vision

Hours of Work

7:30am - 5:00pm

Travel Frequency

30%

Details

Compensation Type: Monthly Paid Monthly

Frequency of Pay: Monthly

Minimum Base Pay: 6,930

Maximum Base Pay: 10,400

Potential Annual Pay with Bonus: 90,090 - 135,200

Address: 1936 George Jenkins Blvd

City: Lakeland

State: Florida

Zip Code: 33815-3760