Quality Assurance Specialist

As a Quality Assurance Specialist, you will support and continuously improve Balchem's Quality and Food Safety Management Systems at our Oslo site. Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory Affairs and Commercial teams, you will help ensure compliance with quality, food safety and regulatory requirements while supporting continuous improvement across the business.

This is a hands-on role with exposure to quality systems, food safety, laboratory quality and audit activities. You will play an important role in maintaining compliance, resolving quality issues and supporting operational excellence across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and maintain the site's Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.

• Coordinate product release, record review, validations and calibration activities.

• Investigate customer complaints, non-conformances and quality incidents, supporting CAPA implementation.

• Participate in internal, customer and certification audits and follow-up activities.

• Support laboratory quality processes and compliance requirements.

• Monitor quality KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

• Partner with cross-functional teams on product, process and business improvement projects.

• Maintain quality documentation and training records.

• Support customer, regulatory and certification-related requests.

Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Quality Management or another relevant scientific discipline.

• Experience within Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Quality Control or a similar quality-related role in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience working within the food, nutrition, ingredient, pharmaceutical or another regulated industry.

• Knowledge of Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.

• Experience with root cause analysis, non-conformance management and CAPA processes.

• Experience supporting audits and compliance activities.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

• Experience with ERP, QMS and/or LIMS systems is considered an advantage.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP or other recognized food safety standards.

• Experience supporting accredited laboratory environments.

• Knowledge of food safety, quality and regulatory requirements within the food ingredients, nutrition or related industries.

• Internal auditor training or food safety certifications are considered an advantage.

• Experience working in an international manufacturing environment.

Personal Qualifications:

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and food safety.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proactive, structured and solution-oriented approach.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across functions.

• Ability to balance operational priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

• A continuous improvement mindset with a desire to challenge existing processes and identify better ways of working.

• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.