Duties and Responsibilities:
Collaborate with Quality Assurance Specialists, Product Developers, Nutrition Analysts, Exclusive Brands Merchandising Team and Vendors to lead the development of product safety and quality specifications and associated requirements for assigned food categories and products sold by Whole Foods Market under Exclusive Brands. This includes maintaining and reviewing specifications and test results after launch to ensure consistent product quality and safety.
• Contribute to commercialization activities by providing technical guidance to help ensure products will meet WFM Exclusive Brands quality and regulatory standards. Responsibilities include:
o Develop appropriate chemical, microbiological, physical, and shelf life test requirements for products based on supplier data, existing testing profiles, all applicable regulatory requirements, food safety or product safety risk, and all WFM specific requirements
o Review applicable product claims and statements and determine criteria for claim validation
o Partner with Product Developers to incorporate characterizing product attributes into the testing profile
o Review Vendor Quality Reports and Facility Risk Assessments to determine appropriate risk of product and facility and adjust specification or verification plans accordingly
o Review Vendor Food Safety Plans or product risk assessments and applicable facility documents to develop product testing profiles
o Review Vendor documents and test results to ensure adherence to WFM Exclusive Brands and regulatory standards
o Review First Production test results to ensure adherence to agreed WFM testing profiles
o Partner with WFM legal team to determine product testing needs to meet state, federal, and international regulatory requirements
o Develop and negotiate shelf life study validation parameters with Vendors for new and existing products
• Partner with Supplier Quality Assurance, Team Leads, and Merchandisers as needed to determine product acceptability and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) plans for out of specification test results
• Collaborate with Team Lead and Product Quality Assurance Analyst on interpretation of data trends, product improvement activities, and test results for product quality evaluations
• Monitor existing product test results for compliance with ongoing periodic testing per the agreed testing profiles
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to ensure products continue to meet WFM Exclusive Brands Quality Standards and regulatory requirements

Requirements and Qualifications:

• B.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or related field
• 5 years’ experience within the retail or food manufacturing packaged goods industry
• Experience working with vendors and specifications
• Experience working in a food and/or non-food quality control or assurance department
• Excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and deliver against rapid development timelines.
• Ability to work on a cross functional team in a highly dynamic environment
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Excel, Work); database experience preferred
• Ability to work independently and within a team. Ability to make decisions or judgments and know when to seek subject matter expert opinion
• Ability to travel domestically up to 20% of time
• Ability to work effectively with little or no direct supervision
• Ability to have fun and enable others to have fun while achieving results

Supplementary Qualifications:

• Experience with natural and organic foods
• Experience with Perishables (produce, meat, seafood)
• Sensory evaluation experience and skills
• Experience with specification databases

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.