Quality Specialist I

Meet Us: King Arthur Baking Company has been sharing the joy of baking since 1790. Headquartered in Norwich, Vermont, we�re the ultimate baking resource � providing education, inspiration, and the highest quality products, all while fostering connections and community through baking. Our superior flours and mixes are available in supermarkets nationwide, and our direct-to-consumer business � website and retail stores � offers an even wider selection of specialty baking ingredients, mixes, gluten-free products, baking tools, and more. We bring baking education to millions of bakers through our cookbooks, podcast, recipe app, website, and baking school. We�re proud to be 100% employee-owned, which means everyone who works here has a real voice and a shared stake in what we do. This creates a strong sense of community built on trust, teamwork, and love of baking. As a benefit corporation, we�re committed to the best interests of all our stakeholders - employees, our local communities, our broader community of bakers, and our planet. Join us and help spread the joy of baking. King Arthur � where, as an employee-owner, your passion and ideas can truly make a difference. The Position: The Quality Specialist I provides on-site Quality support to Merlin Manufacturing during second shift and ensures compliance with internal Quality Policies, FDA regulations, and SQF requirements. The role independently conducts non-conforming material and equipment investigations, recommends product and equipment dispositions to the Quality Systems Manager, and completes required documentation. This position maintains assigned Quality inspection, testing, and SQF programs, including upkeep of testing equipment and program records. The Quality Specialist I conducts routine Quality inspections, follows up on non-conformances, and communicates findings to key stakeholders. The role also supports development and delivery of required Quality and Redzone trainings. This position regularly collaborates with Production and Maintenance teams and provides designated Food Safety and Quality coverage based on SQF one-up/one-down requirements. The Benefits: Yes, we have the regular "stuff" - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(k) with a company match. But here's what makes us different: 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing*, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)* and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward. The Location: White River Junction, VT; onsite daily. The Pay: $42,600 to $57,500 annual salary; commensurate with experience. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Independently conducts non-conforming material and equipment investigations on second shift, recommends disposition decisions to Quality Systems Manager and completes necessary documentation associated with product/equipment holds Partners with Production Supervisor, Team Lead, and Maintenance personnel to ensure compliance to Quality Policies and Procedures Maintains Quality Inspection and Testing Programs, including maintenance of associated testing equipment, as assigned by Quality Systems Manager Maintains assigned SQF programs, including authoring procedures and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), completing monitoring activities, and maintaining required registers and program documentation Conducts Quality inspections, including Start of Run and Final Release checks, documents results, escalates findings, and ensures appropriate follow-up on non-conformances. Supports creation and delivery of Quality-related trainings, including Redzone Quality Checks, annual refreshers, new policies/procedures, and required retraining. Collaborates with cross-functional teams…