Quality Assurance Specialist - Product Management (Retail Grocery Industry)

Topco Associates LLC is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist - Product Management for their Quality Assurance team. The role involves ensuring optimal QA services and standards, evaluating and approving new products, and managing vendor compliance within the retail grocery industry. Responsibilities Evaluate/approve new products as warranted Participate in the development of new products and reformulations of existing products Assure First Production Monitoring protocol is executed Establish product monitoring programs for assigned categories Monitor products for assigned categories for compliance with Topco specs and with applicable government regulations Prepare/participate in competitive product reviews Write/maintain/update product specifications Capture Brand Standard Intelligence via Product Monitoring protocol and competitive shopping evaluations Gather/track/update/store information per established guidelines Manage withdrawal/recall situations to gather information needed by the Regulatory team Apply superior knowledge during product investigations and problem-solving circumstances, following-up to closure Provide technical expertise and product knowledge to internal and external customers Provide back-up to Senior QA Specialists Evaluate/approve new supplier facilities as warranted Manage vendors relative to assigned categories to GFSI certification and/or Third Party Audit compliance and advise QA Management of non-compliant suppliers All other duties as assigned Skills Good verbal/written communication skills Knowledge of consumer product testing, laboratory procedures, product/quality measurement skills Ability to create and present QA information to broad audiences Knowledge of all Microsoft applications High member focus 4 Year College Degree, BS in in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Foods/Nutrition or related Field preferred One to three years of related industry experience Benefits Medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO and HDHP offered) Health Savings Account Dental coverage Vision coverage Annual flexible spending accounts Tuition Reimbursement Competitive 401(k) match Generous PTO offered Company Overview Topco was formed to help ensure regional grocery retailers and wholesalers the ability to support their communities by providing families with high quality yet affordable products and services. It was founded in 1944, and is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is