Food Safety & Quality Assurance Plant Supervisor

About the role

The Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Plant Supervisor is responsible for executing and enforcing Portillo’s food safety and quality policies and programs within the assigned plant and ensuring compliance with GFSI, USDA and FDA FSMA standards across production and warehousing operations.

Responsibilities

• Enable Portillo’s purpose by ensuring food safety and quality standards are met and enforced.
• Execute and monitor compliance with all food safety and quality assurance programs established by Portillo’s.
• Conduct monthly GMP inspections and KPI reporting.
• Coordinate execution of the plant pest control program.
• Manage and oversee daily work activities of FSQA technicians across plant operations from receiving through production and shipping.
• Prioritize daily FSQA activities and allocate team resources to support operational and compliance needs.
• Manage product holds including communication of non-conformances to authorized personnel in a timely manner, destruction of non-conformant products, release of approved products and reporting of non-conformant products and disposal.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to ensure effective implementation of food safety and quality initiatives and other processes, as necessary.
• Execute environmental program swabbing according to policy and identify needs for additional microbiological testing.
• Analyze plant-level food safety and quality data to identify trends, escalate risks, and provide operational recommendations to management.
• Maintain plant-level FSQA documentation and ensure compliant retrieval and completion of required FSQA records, including proper and timely HACCP/PCQI sign-off.
• Support development of FSQA technicians through coaching, training, performance feedback, and daily leadership.
• Support implementation of operational and FSQA process changes within the plant.
• Ensure proper documentation of HACCP monitoring, verification, and validation, and deviation handling with associated corrective action.
• Ensure readiness for USDA food safety assessments and third-party audits.
• Support guest complaint investigations through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation in partnership with the FSQA Manager.
• Assist FSQA Manager with any plant deviations.
• Assist FSQA Manager and FSQA team on SCAR submissions.
• Support hiring, coaching, training, performance management, and development of FSQA technicians.

Requirements

• 5+ years of FSQA experience or bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or related field.
• Troubleshooting, data analysis, and investigative skills.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
• Ability to operate independently within established FSQA programs, standards, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop team members.
• Solid reporting, good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Good organization and time management skills, with attention to detail.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• HACCP certification preferred.
• PCQI certification preferred.
• Internal or Lead Auditor Certification preferred.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing is a plus.
• Knowledge of government regulatory requirements in food (USDA, FDA FSMA) a plus.
• Knowledge and experience with GFSI, SQF, GMP's, Sanitation, Pest Control, Food Safety and HACCP systems, Quality Training, Allergens, Operations and applicable programs/regulations a plus.