Food Quality Assurance Specialist
Supply Chain
Dallas, TX
February 21, 2025
Food Quality Assurance Specialist
Dallas, TX
What does it mean to be a BrinkerHead? We play like a team, take pride in our culture, and seek every opportunity to make people feel special. Life is short. Work happy.
At Brinker, we connect, serve, and give to create the best life for our Team Members, Guests, and community. Through our cultural beliefs, Brinker empowers its Team Members to positively impact our 4 Key Results: Engaging Team Members, Bringing Back Guests, Growing Sales, and Increasing Profits.
Brinker International is an equal opportunity employer; we foster an inclusion environment that promotes respect, diversity of thought and success for all.
Job Summary
The Food Quality Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring the consistent performance and quality of food products across the organization. This position is responsible for measuring product quality through detailed performance assessments and reporting findings to relevant stakeholders. The specialist collects, analyzes, and maintains documentation related to product specifications, quality control, and performance standards. They also manage restaurant complaints, investigating the root causes of issues and working with teams to resolve problems efficiently. By continuously monitoring product consistency and compiling comprehensive reports, the specialist helps to uphold high standards, improve processes, and ensure that products meet both consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.
Your Key Job Functions
• Test Kitchen Management: Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and operational efficiency of all test kitchen equipment.
• Evaluation & Data Analysis: Develop evaluation templates incorporating statistical analysis (e.g., USL, ASL, average, standard deviation) to assess product quality.
• Product Evaluation Management: Schedule and ensure the completion of various product evaluations, including physical attribute assessments, cooking validations, and shelf-life studies.
• Procurement Coordination: Manage the ordering and receipt of materials required for product evaluations.
• Methodology Development: Write and implement standardized methodologies to assess food products and quality attributes.
• Third-Party Audits: Collect and review third-party audits from suppliers and distributors to ensure compliance with company standards.
• Hotline Coordination: Serve as the primary point of contact for addressing quality issues at both the supplier/distributor and restaurant levels, ensuring follow-up and resolution.
• Project Management: Assist with assigned tasks, including special projects and process improvements, as directed by management.
• Supplier Visits & Risk Assessment: Support and coordinate supplier visits related to commercialization, performance, and risk mitigation for both new and existing products.
• Cross-Category Support: Provide support across multiple categories, including product commercialization, production scale-up, specification development, vendor process approval, product evaluation, and ongoing supplier follow-up for new and core products.
• Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. as required by product testing and evaluation procedures.
• Food Safety Advocacy: Champion a culture of food safety by modeling safe practices and ensuring all products meet safety standards for intended restaurant usage.
What You Bring to the Team
• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Horticulture, Chemistry, or Microbiology or a minimum of 1 year experience in a manufacturing and/or corporate QA group.
• Knowledge of food technology, manufacturing, processes, packaging, flavoring, and food-related microbiology
• Ability to manage multiple projects, organize and complete multiple projects efficiently and on time; ability to manage work with minimal supervision
• Some knowledge of Statistical Process Control desirable
• Strong Communication skills: verbal, written and presentation
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team. Ability to build cooperative, productive relationships with internal clients and vendors