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FSQA Associate

Smalls· Operations
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Remote$65k - $85kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

FSQA Associate to execute the daily food safety and quality program activities, including routine production testing, hold/release decisions, CS quality triage, and documentation to keep products moving safely across co-manufacturers and 3PL networks.

Responsibilities

  • Schedule and coordinate micro testing across all SKUs (smooth/ground, pulled, freeze-dried, lickable, broth, treats).
  • Generate and track lab submission forms for micro tests; manage end-to-end cycle from sample collection through lab turnaround, results review, and release.
  • Execute hold/release decisions across all SKUs each month.
  • Review cutting forms, log results, send release emails, and maintain release records.
  • Coordinate production verification and nutritional testing each month.
  • Monitor the CS-Food channel as the primary QA point of contact.
  • Triage incoming complaints within hours: classify severity, request additional info from CS, determine issue type (cosmetic, food safety, or formal investigation).
  • Resolve low-complexity complaints directly with CS; escalate food safety and high-impact issues to the Sr. Manager, FSQA with a clean handoff packet.
  • Own complaint response SLAs — triage within hours, resolution within 2–3 days for non-investigation issues.
  • Open and document formal quality investigations under the direction of the Sr. Manager, FSQA.
  • Gather supporting evidence: lab results, batch records, cutting forms, supplier COAs, CS complaint history.
  • Coordinate with co-manufacturers and suppliers to collect root cause data.
  • Draft investigation reports and CAPA documentation for Sr. Manager, FSQA's review and sign-off.
  • Support food safety investigations (e.g., micro, raw materials, food production records).
  • Log all test results, hold/release decisions, and complaint data into internal compliant trackers.
  • Maintain the co-man and supplier quality document library — chase certificates, food safety docs, EPR packaging info, keep documents current.
  • Produce the weekly QA digest (internal compliant trackers, CS-Food channel summary, weekly team meeting highlights).
  • Pull data inputs for Sr. Manager, FSQA's period reporting and trend analyses.
  • Participate in co-man and 3PL quality calls as the standing QA representative.
  • Handle communication with 3PLs — hold/release instructions, tickets, and sample inspections.
  • Communicate with the CS team to address customer food quality inquiries and complaints, providing investigation results and feedback.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a related field
  • 1–3 years of experience in a food, beverage, or pet food QA role
  • Working knowledge of micro testing protocols (APC, Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli) and lab coordination workflows
  • Strong communicator across co-manufacturers, labs, CS, and internal ops (Slack, email)
  • Attention to detail with high-volume documentation
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and fast-growing CPG environment
  • Willing to travel

Skills

Required:Micro testing coordinationDocumentation managementCommunication

Benefits

  • Fully paid Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
  • 4-day work week
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Fully remote office & culture
  • Free cat food every month
Last updated Sep 24, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Smalls

Voted #1 Healthiest Cat Food 🐱🥩

Human-grade fresh cat food delivered straight to your door. Smalls is gently cooked to preserve all of the nutrients and moisture that cats need.

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