Quality Assurance Specialist

About the role

The Quality Assurance Specialist is an individual contributor on the Supply Chain Quality Assurance team. The ideal candidate will have experience turning category quality strategy into day-to-day execution, developing and maintaining specifications, processing supplier qualification documentation, coordinating audits and corrective actions, and supporting culinary hand-offs.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously evolve the ingredient and finished product specification and CTQ frameworks across the portfolio, setting the standards and methods that ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with Sweetgreen’s quality standards, regulatory requirements, and culinary intent.
• Lead the supplier qualification process end-to-end, independently reviewing onboarding documentation, third-party audits, HACCP and Food Safety Plans, product specs, and allergen declarations, and making supplier approval recommendations.
• Drive the supplier audit and compliance program, coordinating third-party and internal audits, adjudicating corrective actions to closure, and maintaining audit standards, schedules, and documentation.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for HACCP and CTQ programs, conducting hazard analyses, defining critical control point documentation, and leading verification activities related to ingredient and supplier risk.
• Own Sweetgreen's regulatory compliance activities, including label and allergen review, FSMA 204 traceability documentation, and ingredient attribute standards.
• Lead the culinary hand-off process from supplier to restaurant, partnering with the Culinary and Supply Management teams to ensure new and modified ingredients meet quality, food safety, and operational requirements before launch.
• Establish and maintain QA documentation systems and standards, including supplier certificates of analysis (COAs), letters of guarantee, allergen statements, and compliance records.
• Analyze supplier quality performance using data from FoodLogiQ and other quality management systems, identifying trends and independently driving issues to resolution.
• Develop process documentation, SOPs, and quality system enhancements, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the QA function’s methods and techniques and supporting LTO and new product introduction.

Requirements

• A subject matter expert who takes full ownership of specifications, documentation, and compliance activities with thoroughness and precision.
• An independent operator who can prioritize and drive multiple workstreams across audits, specifications, and culinary.
• A strong communicator who partners effectively across Culinary, Supply Management, and Operations to translate quality requirements into practical execution.
• A food safety advocate with deep curiosity about ingredients, sourcing, and what it takes to deliver real food at scale.
• A sustainability-minded professional with an interest in responsible sourcing, including regenerative agriculture, animal welfare standards, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
• A continuous improvement mindset, comfortable with developing new standards, methods, and tools that strengthen the QA function.

Qualifications

• 4-5 years of experience in food quality assurance, food safety, or a related role within food manufacturing, foodservice, or restaurant supply chain.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in ingredient specification development and management, including COAs, allergen documentation, and nutritional labeling.
• Experience leading or supporting supplier audit programs (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, or similar) and corrective action tracking.
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles, food safety regulations (FDA, USDA), and quality management systems.
• Strong organizational skills with proficiency in managing documentation, databases, and quality tracking tools; experience with FoodLogiQ or similar platforms preferred.
• Exposure to culinary development processes, new product launches, or menu innovation within a restaurant or foodservice environment is highly preferred.

Skills

• Strong communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset.
• Passion for real food.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Benefits

• Three different medical plans to suit your and your family's needs.
• Dental and Vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO plan.
• 401k program.
• Employee HSA and FSA.
• Complimentary greens.
• To live the sweetlife and celebrate your passion + purpose.
• A collaborative team of people who live our core values and have your back.
• A clear career path with opportunities for development, both personally and professionally.
• Free sweetgreen swag.

Pay

Highly competitive pay + bonus plan

Schedule

Not specified