Food Safety Specialist
Job Description
The Food Safety Specialist supports both production and laboratory functions to ensure consistent product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance in a honey and syrup manufacturing environment. This role spends approximately half of the time on the production floor as the primary quality presence and the other half performing laboratory testing, documentation, and data entry. The Food Safety Specialist helps maintain SQF Level 3 standards, GMP compliance, and organic certification while working closely with production and quality teams in a collaborative, values-driven organization.
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary voice of quality on the production floor, ensuring adherence to SQF Level 3, GMP, SOPs, quality standards, and organic certification requirements.
Verify that production staff consistently complete required product checks and in-process inspections, and provide on-the-floor training on GMPs and quality procedures.
Review, complete, and maintain batch records and related production documentation in accordance with established quality standards.
Release finished product once all quality checks and documentation meet specifications and internal requirements.
Perform routine laboratory testing on honey and syrup, including color and moisture analysis, pH, refractive index, and viscosity measurements.
Receive honey shipments, sample 5-10 cases per shipment for color and moisture, and accurately enter results into the quality system.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment such as colorimeters and refractometers to assess honey quality attributes.
Collect 4 oz samples of honey for third-party testing, prepare shipments, print FedEx labels, and package samples for shipment to external laboratories.
Coordinate third-party testing for sugar residues and potential hazardous materials in honey by submitting sample request forms and communicating with external labs via email.
Prepare and send SARFs (Sample Request Forms) to the external laboratory and ensure all required information and documentation are complete.
Enter laboratory test results into the appropriate systems and databases, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and traceability.
Support bottling operations by monitoring 2-3 bottling lines, verifying that codes and labels are correct, and ensuring bottling paperwork is properly completed.
Review supplier and customer documentation for completeness and compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.
Log into multiple customer portals, upload requested quality and regulatory documents, and respond to documentation requests via email.
Assist with document control activities, including documentation creation, review, and maintenance for quality and food safety programs.
Support internal and external audits by maintaining organized documentation and demonstrating adherence to food safety, FDA, and quality standards.
Collaborate with production and quality teams to identify, communicate, and resolve quality issues, taking a firm but constructive stance when necessary.
Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in food safety, quality control, and documentation processes within the facility.
Optionally assist in production activities on a regular basis, when desired, in accordance with company policies and pay practices.
Essential Skills
Experience in quality assurance or quality control within a food manufacturing or food safety environment.
Knowledge of SQF Level 3 or similar GFSI-recognized food safety schemes.
Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their application in a food production environment.
Familiarity with food safety principles, HACCP, and FDA-related food regulations.
Experience with batch record completion, review, and documentation control in a manufacturing setting.
Ability to perform and interpret basic laboratory tests such as color, moisture, pH, refractive index, and viscosity for food products.
Proficiency in using laboratory instruments such as colorimeters and refractometers.
Strong documentation skills, including accurate data entry and record keeping for quality and laboratory results.
Comfort with electronic systems and portals for entering lab results, managing documentation, and uploading customer and supplier documents.
Effective written communication skills for emailing external laboratories and customers regarding sample requests and documentation.
Strong verbal communication skills and the confidence to take a stand on quality issues with colleagues and cross-functional teams.
Ability to lead or take ownership of quality-related tasks and projects, including providing feedback to colleagues.
Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline such as Food Safety or Food Science, or equivalent experience.
If no degree: 3-5 years of food safety and/or quality experience in a food manufacturing environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Degree in Food Science, Food Safety, or a related scientific field is preferred but not required.
Experience with HACCP programs and principles; HACCP certification is a plus.
PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification is beneficial; the company is willing to sponsor HACCP and PCQI certification for the right candidate.
Experience supporting or participating in audits related to food safety, quality, or regulatory compliance.
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple documentation requests, customer portals, and sample submissions simultaneously.
Attention to detail and accuracy in completing paperwork, batch records, and laboratory documentation.
Comfort working in a small, collaborative team environment where individuals take on broad responsibilities.
Motivation to pursue continued education and professional development, supported by an education allowance.
Alignment with core values such as collaboration, acting for the greater good of the company, exceeding customer expectations, doing the right thing, and being driven to add value.
Work Environment
This role is based primarily at a new manufacturing facility focused on honey, syrup, and related ingredients. The Food Safety Specialist splits time between the production floor and the laboratory, working closely with a small, collaborative quality and production team. The position is on second shift, with schedules offered as either four 10-hour shifts (approximately 3:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday) or five 8-hour shifts (approximately 3:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Monday through Friday), subject to business needs. Initial training takes place on first shift for approximately one week to ensure a smooth onboarding experience. The facility operates under strict GMP conditions, requiring hairnets, beard nets where applicable, and appropriate protective footwear; the company provides two pairs of steel-toed boots per year. The environment includes active production lines, bottling operations, and a quality laboratory equipped with instruments such as colorimeters and refractometers. Work involves regular computer use for data entry, documentation control, and customer portal access. The organization emphasizes a collaborative, family-oriented culture, encourages acting without fear for the greater good of the company, focuses on exceeding customer expectations, and values integrity and continuous improvement. The role offers a contract-to-hire path, opportunities to assist in production for additional pay in line with company policies, paid time off, paid holidays, and support for professional growth through HACCP and PCQI certification sponsorship and an education allowance
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Cannon Falls, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $52000.00 - $52000.00/yr.
Full Health, Vision, Dental, 401k.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Cannon Falls,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 28, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
