Assistant Food Microbiology Jobs in Riverside, CA

Reports To: FSQA Manager Department: FSQA
Location: Corona, California (In-Office) Position Type: Full-time
Classification: Exempt Shift: Flexible
Salary Range: $88,185.00 - $94,185.00 per year
Position Summary
Under the direction of the FSQA Manager, the FSQA Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily activities of the FSQA Department by supervising FSQA Leads and Technicians, ensuring compliance with food safety and quality programs, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications. The FSQA Supervisor provides leadership and technical support to the department while overseeing verification activities, documentation review, product disposition, environmental monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position serves as the designated backup SQF Practitioner and supports the FSQA Manager in maintaining an effective Food Safety and Quality Management System.
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of Food Safety and Quality Assurance experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• HACCP certification preferred.
• SQF Practitioner or Internal Auditor certification preferred.
• FDA and/or USDA regulated manufacturing experience preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to uphold regulatory, company, and customer standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the designated backup SQF Practitioner and assist with implementation, verification, validation, and continuous improvement of the SQF System.
• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and support to FSQA Leads and Technicians.
• Coordinate FSQA department scheduling to ensure adequate departmental coverage.
• Oversee production line inspections, GMP inspections, and daily FSQA activities.
• Review FSQA and production documentation for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage the FSQA Hold Program, including review, investigation, disposition, and follow-up of non-conforming products.
• Oversee the Environmental Monitoring Program, including sample collection schedules, review of results, trend analysis, corrective actions, and documentation.
• Participate in customer, regulatory, third-party, and SQF audits and assist with corrective action development and implementation.
• Organize and participate in GMP inspections, internal facility audits, and traceability exercises.
• Verify compliance with HACCP, preventive controls, allergen management, sanitation, food defense, food fraud, and GMP programs.
• Assist in investigating customer complaints, internal quality issues, supplier-related concerns, and non-conforming products.
• Support root cause investigations, corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review and verify CCP monitoring records, calibration records, sanitation records, allergen documentation, environmental monitoring records, and other food safety documentation.
• Assist the FSQA Manager in monitoring departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), food safety trends, and quality metrics.
• Work with Production, Warehouse, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Sanitation, and Maintenance to resolve food safety and quality concerns.
• Perform incoming raw material evaluations and ensure materials meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure finished product specifications, work instructions, and quality standards are current and effectively communicated to FSQA personnel.
• Assist with employee training, onboarding, and verification of training effectiveness.
• Assist the FSQA Manager with timecard review, attendance, and departmental administrative responsibilities.
• Maintain FSQA records and files in an organized and audit-ready manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Food Safety and Quality Management System.
• Perform additional duties as requested by the FSQA Manager and/or VP.

Physical Requirements/ Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The team member is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and use hands and fingers.
• The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods and routinely walk throughout production, warehouse, and office areas.
• Must be able to work in refrigerated environments (34°F or below) for extended periods.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To view more opportunities, please visit: Latitude 36 Foods Job Opportunities
Latitude 36 Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we take great pride in our diverse and talented workforce. We are looking for diversity in candidates for employment. We recognize that our continued success depends largely on the collective strengths of our associates.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.