Associate Quality Assurance Analyst Jobs in Riverside, CA

About FiveStar Gourmet Foods

We are a leader in fresh, chilled food innovation, operating in a fast-paced environment where quality, safety, and speed are paramount. Our mission is to deliver premium products that exceed customer expectations while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and operational excellence.

Position Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for overseeing food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance across our chilled food operations. This role ensures that all products meet internal and external standards, supports continuous improvement, and fosters a culture of quality throughout the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage QA team members, including Supervisors and Technicians.
• Oversee implementation and maintenance of SQF, HACCP, and GMP standards
• Ensure audit readiness and lead internal, customer, and third-party audits.
• Manage customer complaints and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Monitor sanitation practices and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develop and deliver training programs for QA and production staff.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
• Maintain and analyze quality metrics and KPIs (e.g., audit scores, complaint resolution time).
• Lead product hold, release, and recall procedures.
• Serve as the in-plant expert for crisis management and food safety.
• Support sustainability and waste reduction initiatives.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in quality, food production, sanitation, or food safety.
• Quality certifications preferred (e.g., CFS, CQM, CQE, CQA).
• SQF or BRC certification required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital QMS platforms (e.g., SAP, TraceGains).
• HACCP and Food Safety training required.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Job Knowledge, Core Competencies and Expectations:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively lead teams and collaborate across other departments.
• Ability to work in a high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Strong, logical decision-making skills.
• Must be able to efficiently manage time and meet deadlines.
• Exhibit sense of ownership and accountability.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships within the department and the company.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask with strong attention to detail.

This position embodies the values of FiveStar Gourmet Foods PURE model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

P- Pristine

• Clean, spotless, visually precise- from floor to ceiling, every shift, every day.

U- Uncompromising

• Zero tolerance. Zero shortcuts. Food safety comes first- always.

R- Relentless

• Every product, every process, every detail- nothing leaves unless it’s right.

E- Excellence

• Discipline, consistency, and pride in doing it the right way- the FiveStar way.

Physical Demands and the Work Environment:

(The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Must have the ability to work in cold temperatures (Production room is 33 – 36 °F; freezer is 0 °F).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Must have the ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Must have the ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb stairs.
• Must have the ability to see and handle products, machinery, and hand tools.
• Must be able to wear required PPE such as hard hats, hairnets, smocks, gloves and closed-toed shoes.

This description is intended to describe the essential functions and general content of the requirements for the position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to change the functions and responsibilities of this position as necessary at any time.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Growth opportunities in a rapidly expanding company with cutting-edge facilities.
• A leadership role in ensuring FiveStar’s mission of Freshness Forever, Innovation Always is supported through reliable, efficient operations.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.