Apply for the FSQA Technical Consultant – CQA, Lakeland job opening.FSQA Technical Consultant – CQA, Lakeland

Location: Lakeland, FL
Job ID: 39053BR
Job Category: Quality Assurance & Food Safety
Working Hours: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Pay Range: $6,930 - $10,400
Date Posted: Oct 05, 2026

$90 - 135k

Onsite

Full Time - Regular

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Description

Help protect the quality and safety behind the Publix brand. As a Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) Technical Consultant, you’ll play an important role in maintaining and enhancing the food safety, and quality of Publix store brand products, packaging, and ingredients supporting our Fresh and Grocery Retail Business Units (RBUs), as well as packaging and ingredient suppliers to Manufacturing. You’ll conduct rigorous food safety and product quality assessments during category reviews, providing critical expertise that helps guide supplier and product selection. This is an opportunity to use your food safety and quality expertise to make an impact on the products associated with the Publix name.
Why Publix? At Publix, our associates are more than employees, they’re owners. As the nation’s largest employee-owned supermarket chain, Publix offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career with a company that invests in its people. From stock ownership and comprehensive benefits to ongoing development and advancement opportunities, Publix provides more than a job. It’s a place where you can grow your career, contribute your expertise, and share in the success you help create.

Responsibilities include:

• Evaluate supplier food safety and quality assurance programs during Speed to Market and other review processes, including audits, regulatory compliance (FDA, USDA, USDA-FSIS, FDA-FSVP, EPA), and supplier documentation
• Analyze laboratory data and facility systems, including HACCP, GMPs, and preventive controls, to determine supplier suitability and risk
• Manage special projects to enhance our position as a leader in food safety and quality assurance
• Provide regulatory compliance support to the leadership of Corporate Quality Assurance (CQA) and RBU partners relating primarily to food safety and product quality, including unplanned situations
• Lead continuous food safety quality improvement efforts that drive enhancements for Publix store brand products and national brand items
• Achieve regulatory compliance support for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs that are subject to FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or related to biological sciences, microbiology, chemistry, and/or engineering OR Bachelor’s Degree in any field AND at least two additional years of relevant food safety and quality assurance experience
• Must have one of the following:
• At least five years of experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, or Corporate Quality Assurance OR
• At least three years of experience in food safety and quality assurance in one or more of the aforementioned environments AND a Master’s or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or a related field OR
• At least three years of Publix experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, Corporate Quality Assurance, Distribution, Corporate Purchasing or Manufacturing Supply Chain
• Must be at least 20 years of age with a valid driver’s license to operate a company vehicle

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Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree OR Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or related field
• Must have one of the following:
• At least seven years of experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, or Corporate Quality Assurance OR
• At least four years of experience in food safety and quality assurance within the aforementioned environments AND a Master’s or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Safety, Public Health, or a related field OR
• At least six years of Publix experience in food safety and quality assurance working with products in one or more of the following environments: Retail, Food Manufacturing, Corporate Quality Assurance, Distribution, Corporate Purchasing or Manufacturing Supply Chain
• FDA FSMA – Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI)
• FDA FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) Qualified Individual
• HACCP Certification
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) – Certified Food Safety and Quality Assurance Auditor
• Professional Animal Auditor Organization (PAACO) certifications for dairy, poultry, and meat plants
• Produce Food Safety Alliance Certification
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of Microbiology, Chemical Safety, Public Health, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare Standards
• In-depth knowledge of GFSI and Certified Program Owner audit formats such as Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and British Retail Consortium (BRC), including the application of auditor competence and alignment to food safety laws
• Knowledge and understanding of all US federal agency labeling regulations including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), US Department of Agriculture Marketing Services (USDA AMS), US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), US Federal Trade Commission (US FTC), US Customs and Border Protection (US Customs), US Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) as well as state and local rules and regulations
• Knowledge of current regulatory positions of all US federal agencies and respected industry sources to understand the changes in regulation codes and guidance that are required or advised in the best interest of Publix.

This includes:

• FDA initiatives under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) umbrella
• Improving the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) pathway to require more FDA oversight of food additives
• Re-defining ultra-processed foods in partnership with the USDA
• Improving transparency using front of package labeling and/or FDA “healthy” logo
• Have in-depth knowledge of Federal requirements regarding Food Safety compliance which includes:
• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• Preventive Controls
• Traceability Rule
• Intentional Adulteration
• Sanitary Transportation
• Produce Safety
• HACCP
• Knowledge of Publix policies, departments, code of ethics, philosophy, mission and vision

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Benefits

• Employee stock ownership plan that contributes Publix stock to associates each year at no cost
• An opportunity to purchase additional shares of our privately-held stock
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Group health, dental and vision plans
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free hot lunches (buffet-style) at facilities with a cafeteria
• Visit our website to see all of our benefits: Benefits – Jobs (publix.com)

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Year End Bonus

As a year-end bonus to associates, Publix issues one month’s extra pay (pro-rated in the first year) each year if associate remains employed through issue date of the bonus check that year. This is calculated as a 13th month of pay in the Potential Annual Pay with Bonus line above.

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Additional Information

Your application may have additional steps that you will need to complete in order to remain eligible for consideration. Please be sure to monitor your email, including your spam folder, on a daily basis for critical, time-sensitive emails that could require action within 24-48 hours.

Please do not use your Publix email address when applying. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation email.

Publix may provide relocation assistance.

*This position includes business related domestic and international travel.

​​​​​For this position, Publix does not and will not file a petition or application with the USCIS or Department of State on behalf of any noncitizen for any immigration-related benefit to work and/or to continue to work in the United States, e.g., an H-1B or TN petition or permanent residence.

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