FSQA Specialist I

Down East Seafood has been a go‑to source for the freshest, highest‑quality seafood among New York’s most celebrated chefs for over 30 years. What began as a single van sourcing clams from Maine has grown into a full‑line seafood operation, delivering sustainably sourced selections six days a week across the Tri‑State area. Based in a 17,000‑square‑foot facility in the heart of Hunt’s Point, the Bronx, Down East combines local expertise with coastal reach—providing premium seafood to restaurants in NYC, Westchester, Long Island, Southern Connecticut, and Northern New Jersey.

Pay Range

$25.00–$30.00 per hour

Schedule

Sunday through Thursday into Friday 5 PM – 2 AM

Position Summary

The FSQA Specialist will support the effective implementation of the Quality Management System and serve as the local technical resource at the facility. The HACCP Coordinator will support the ongoing review and development of all HACCP and quality‑assurance programs and ensure they meet applicable regulations and standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement local site documents with oversight from direct supervisor.
• Interact with State, FDA, and Shellfish inspectors to ensure ongoing compliance with federal regulations and resolve deficiencies promptly.
• Support facility compliance to policy and regulations through onsite monitoring and/or verification activities.
• Apply knowledge in wet sanitation and pre‑operational monitoring procedures.
• Conduct and review pre‑operational inspection records as required.
• Maintain readiness for third‑party GMP audits.
• Schedule and deliver local site food‑safety training—including CCPs, Food Defense, and Quality Management System training—per schedule.
• Assist in investigation of customer complaints.
• Support corrective actions as needed.
• Organize and maintain HACCP records; verify HACCP observations and all elements of the HACCP plan as required.
• Conduct HACCP reassessments annually or when changes occur in the facility, equipment, or raw materials.
• Provide FSQA support to internal projects (e.g., new items, new equipment installation).
• Assist in production and packaging to learn and understand the entire process.
• Perform inspection procedures at frequencies identified in programs, procedures, and specifications.
• Perform routine inspections of the environment and facility to ensure regulatory requirements and HACCP, GMP, SSOP procedures are met.
• Report information and ensure products that fail to meet expectations are retained and appropriate personnel are notified.
• Prepare and present HACCP training to all appropriate personnel and file all QA and HACCP documents.
• Audit all HACCP documentation on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field highly preferred.
• Minimum education: GED or high‑school diploma.
• Minimum of three years of quality‑assurance experience in manufacturing highly preferred.
• Knowledge of seafood regulations, GMPs, food‑safety audits, process procedures, and documentation.
• GFSI audit experience highly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organization skills; able to manage multiple projects and determine project urgency practically.
• Seafood HACCP certified or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.

Benefits

• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• Health, dental, and medical benefits
• Weekly pay
• Life insurance
• 5 % above cost for high‑quality food products
• Employee discounts for travel and events
• 401(k) plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan