Job Description
Company Information
Since 1964, we have been the world’s largest supplier of fudge making equipment, ingredients, and marketing expertise. If you ever go on vacation (and we hope you do!), you’ve probably seen and maybe purchased our fudge. Since our fudge is always made fresh in each retail store (and sold under the retailer’s own name), we are the best kept secret in retail confectionary. With a strong presence in numerous countries and a vast network of retailers, including well-known establishments in the tourism sector, we are committed to delivering outstanding products and services.
Our company culture fosters growth and embodies the "Hungry, Humble, Smart" philosophy. We seek individuals who are driven, self-motivated, and always eager to learn and do more. Being humble, our team members prioritize the team over self and lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Additionally, they possess strong interpersonal skills, enabling them to work effectively with others. We value a strong work ethic and a positive and vibrant work environment.
Job Summary
The Senior Quality Assurance & Quality Control Technician supports the execution of quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory compliance programs at the Amityville facility. This role ensures that products meet established quality and safety standards through testing, monitoring, documentation, and verification activities.
The Senior Quality Assurance & Quality Control Technician works closely with Production, Quality, and cross-functional teams to integrate food safety and quality standards into daily manufacturing operations. This role plays a critical part in maintaining compliance with FDA, FSMA, SQF, and GMP requirements while supporting audit readiness and continuous improvement initiatives.
Success in this role is defined by accurate testing and documentation, strong attention to detail, proactive identification of quality issues, and consistent adherence to food safety and regulatory standards.
Responsibilities
Quality Testing & Product Verification
- Conduct physical, chemical, and microbiological testing of raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods as outlined in the program.
- Verify product specifications, including visual appearance and packaging integrity.
- Monitor production processes to ensure adherence to quality standards and specifications.
- Record and communicate test results accurately and in a timely manner.
- Perform timely release of raw materials and finished products in the ERP system (Business Central) after verification that all quality and food safety requirements have been met.
Expected Result
- Products consistently meet established quality and safety specifications.
- Testing data is accurate, reliable, and properly documented.
- Raw materials and finished products are released accurately and on time to support production flow and compliance.
Food Safety & Quality Program Support
- Support the implementation and execution of food safety programs including HACCP, SQF, GMPs, allergen control, and environmental monitoring.
- Perform routine monitoring activities, including CCPs, preventive controls, and sanitation verification.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and certification standards.
- Assist in maintaining and improving food safety plans and quality systems.
- Review sanitation records and documentation to verify completion, accuracy, and compliance.
- Perform ATP testing to validate sanitation effectiveness and hygienic conditions prior to production start-up.
- Conduct environmental monitoring activities, including swabbing equipment and production areas in accordance with the environmental monitoring program.
- Document, track, and escalate sanitation or environmental deviations and support corrective action implementation and verification.
Expected Result
- Food safety and quality programs are consistently executed and maintained in compliance with regulatory and certification requirements.
- Sanitation and environmental monitoring programs are properly completed, documented, and maintained in an audit-ready state.
Documentation & Record Management
- Maintain accurate and complete quality and food safety records, including testing logs, batch records, and monitoring documentation.
- Ensure traceability of raw materials and finished products.
- Prepare and organize documentation to support internal and external audits.
- Verify documentation meets regulatory and SQF requirements.
Expected Result
- Quality and food safety documentation is accurate, complete, organized, and audit-ready.
- Full product and material traceability is maintained.
Non-Conformance, CAPA & Continuous Improvement
- Identify, document, and investigate product and process non-conformances.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes.
- Verify the effectiveness of corrective actions and follow through to closure.
- Monitor quality trends and recommend process improvements.
Expected Result
- Quality issues are identified and effectively resolved.
- Corrective actions are completed and verified.
- Quality and operational performance improve through continuous improvement efforts.
Audit Support & Compliance Monitoring
- Support internal audits and inspections to verify compliance with food safety and quality standards.
- Assist in preparing the facility for external audits, including Kosher, SQF certification, and regulatory inspections such as NYS and FDA.
- Perform routine inspections and monitoring activities to maintain audit readiness.
- Address audit findings and support corrective action implementation.
Expected Result
- The facility remains audit-ready and demonstrates consistent compliance during internal and external audits.
- Audit findings are properly addressed and corrective actions are effectively implemented.
Approved Supplier Program & Supplier Quality Management
- Support the execution and maintenance of the Approved Supplier Program, including supplier onboarding, qualification, and ongoing monitoring.
- Maintain and regularly update the Approved Supplier List.
- Collect, review, and track supplier documentation, including SQF, BRC, GFSI, audit reports, specifications, COAs, and regulatory compliance documentation.
- Ensure supplier records, certifications, and documentation are current and properly maintained in Business Central and OneDrive.
- Assist with onboarding new suppliers by gathering required food safety and quality documentation and verifying compliance prior to approval.
- Monitor supplier performance and compliance status and escalate risks or non-conformances as needed.
- Support supplier corrective action processes and follow up to ensure timely resolution and closure.
- Partner with Procurement, R&D, and Production to ensure supplier-related changes maintain regulatory and food safety compliance.
- Assist with supplier and co-packer qualification, audits, and ongoing monitoring.
Expected Result
- The Approved Supplier Program is maintained with accurate, up-to-date documentation and a controlled Approved Supplier List.
- Supplier compliance is consistently verified, risks are proactively managed, and supplier records remain audit-ready.
Training & Food Safety Culture
- Assist in training production staff on GMPs, hygiene practices, allergen control, and food safety procedures.
- Promote awareness and accountability for food safety and quality across departments.
- Support employee onboarding and ongoing food safety training initiatives.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to reinforce quality and safety standards.
Expected Result
- A strong food safety culture is maintained, with employees consistently following established quality and compliance standards.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related discipline preferred.
- Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance, food safety, or food manufacturing.
- Experience in FDA/GMP-regulated food manufacturing environments preferred.
- Experience with ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, preferred.
Technical Skills
- Working knowledge of food safety regulations and programs, including FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, and SQF.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience with food safety testing, environmental monitoring, sanitation verification, and quality documentation.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and analyze quality and food safety information.
Certifications
- HACCP certification preferred.
- PCQI certification preferred.
- SQF Practitioner certification preferred.
- Internal Auditing certification preferred.
Core Competencies
- Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
- Ability to identify and communicate quality and food safety concerns.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Commitment to food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
As an integral member of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits program that includes:
- Paid Time Off Plan and Paid Holidays
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and/or Dependent Care Expenses
- Length of Service Awards
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) Plan
- Life/AD&D Insurance
What makes Calico different from other companies?
- Ice Cream Fridays during fair weather months.
- On-Site Gym
- Birthday & Holiday Celebrations held to foster fun and team interaction.
- Employee Appreciation Events with great food, fun, and team building for all team members and their families.
- Employee Referral Program financially rewards employees for referring qualified new hires to Calico.
- And, of course…Plenty of the Best Fudge You’ve Ever Tasted!
Want to make your world a little sweeter? Come join the Calico Cottage Confections team!
Job Type: Full-time/Hourly
Work Location: Amityville, NY
Travel: None
Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Salary Range: $29.00 - $34.00 per hour
Calico Cottage Confections, LLC. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.