Quality Assurance Specialist

Essential Flavours are seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to support the business with compliance with SQF, ISO, FSANZ, and other relevant standards by leading quality assurance and food safety systems. It’s important for the individual to be driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of safety and operational excellence. The Quality Assurance Specialist will be key coordinator of internal and external audits, enhance product integrity, and collaborate with teams to uphold quality standards.

If you're a detail-oriented professional with a hands-on approach to maintaining high-quality standards, ensuring food safety, and driving a 'right first time' mindset, we’d love to hear from you

**WHO WE ARE**

We are an Australian-owned flavour house, with operations in both Australia and Vietnam. Established in 1989 as a family-owned business, Essential is now into the second generation of Nielsen management and continues to cherish the family values entrenched by the founder John. Located in Carrum Downs, Victoria, our facility is purpose-built to our requirements and to further expand our capabilities in local and international markets.

Our business continues to strengthen and grow after 35 years with our focus on partnering with our clients to develop new, unique, and ever-evolving flavours and product solutions. Picture the time when you were a child, savouring the tastes that came with eating your favourite food. These recollections are what drives us to be part of creating “Future Memories.”

**WHY WORK FOR US?**

We are passionate about what we do and are guided by our core values:
We are our **community**

We have a **learning** and **evolutionary mindset**

We think beyond our **borders**
We deliver **solutions**

We **share** the love

We foster a supportive, collaborative culture where delivering the best products and service to our customers is our top priority. We also value celebrating our achievements and sharing in each other’s successes.

Our story still has many pages to be written and we are seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to support the team and set us up for our next phase of organic growth.

**YOUR SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS**

To be a complimentary fit for this role, here are the key responsibilities:

- Lead Quality Assurance: Oversee the quality assurance processes to ensure compliance with all relevant ISO, ANZ, and Asian food standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Champion Safety: Conduct audits, analyse data, and implement corrective actions to maintain a safe work environment. Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to ensure alignment with internal safety protocols and quality practices.
- Manage Quality Systems: Develop, implement, and maintain quality systems to enhance operational efficiency and ensure product consistency.
- Collaborate for Improvement: Work closely with cross-functional teams to continuously improve product quality and optimize processes.
- Document & Report: Manage and maintain quality documentation, tracking and reporting issues and their resolutions effectively.
- Maintain Essential Standards: Ensure strict adherence to Essential's safety policies and procedures through targeted initiatives, training programs, and regular audits.
- Compliance Champion: Support efforts to maintain compliance with ISO standards and other relevant regulations, ensuring the organization remains aligned with industry requirements.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and alignment on quality goals.
- Training & Development: Identify company training needs in quality assurance and safety and implement development programs to address those needs.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Collect and analyse quality data to drive informed decisions that support continuous improvement and operational excellence.

**About you**
- A minimum of 5 years of successful experience in a quality-related role.
- Prior experience working with SQF, FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) standards, completing internal and external audits.
- Strong technical ability to lead quality programs including SQF, HACCP, GMP, Food Safety Programs, and internal auditing.
- Planning, conducting and executing any non-conformances, Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), RCAs, fluid in in developing and implementing or reviewing processes and resolution handling
- Outstanding organizational and planning skills, with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent time management, organizational skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to multitask effectively and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- A comprehensive understanding of relevant standards, Codes of Practice, and statutory and legal requirements.
- Self-driven, self-motivated, and possess strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage up, collect data, present and