Quality Assurance Technician

About PopUp Bagels

PopUp Bagels isn’t just a bagel company—we’re a cultural movement. Our stores are small, our vibes are loud, and our energy is contagious. From signature neon and iconic bullhorns to our “Not Famous but Known” mirror, we’ve reimagined not only how a bagel is made, but how it’s enjoyed: Grip, Rip and Dip!

With a cult-like following, a massive social presence, and collaborations with leading companies, partners, and Brand Ambassadors, PopUp Bagels is defining a new food lifestyle brand.

We keep things simple—but we do them really, really well. And our customers agree.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Quality Assurance Technician who cares deeply about getting the details right and isn’t afraid to speak up when something isn’t.

You’ll play a hands-on role in protecting the quality, safety, and consistency of everything produced during your shift. You’ll be on the production floor conducting inspections and audits, monitoring critical quality checks, investigating issues, and partnering with Production, Shipping, Procurement, Maintenance, Sanitation, and other teams to resolve problems.

This is a role for someone who can make informed decisions, take ownership, and confidently defend those decisions in a fair and collaborative way.

You’ll also have the opportunity to build your leadership capabilities and help strengthen the food safety and quality culture as PopUp Bagels continues to grow.

What You’ll Do

Protect Quality & Food Safety

• Conduct internal quality and food safety audits to verify compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

• Monitor production-line quality checks, including weight verification, labeling accuracy, lot-code traceability, defect identification, and corrective-action follow-up.

• Perform organoleptic (sensory) evaluations of finished products.

• Serve as a quality resource on the production floor, reinforcing food safety standards, GMPs, and quality expectations.

• Assist with trailer inspections and verify temperature-monitoring records to maintain cold-chain integrity and shipping compliance.

Own Quality Systems & Documentation

• Manage monitoring, calibration, and verification plans.

• Organize and schedule laboratory pickups in accordance with sample plans.

• Maintain accurate, organized quality documentation, including inspection reports, non-conformance records, job aids, and product specifications.

• Create and update product specifications across all departments.

• Support labeling processes by coordinating updates, verifying label accuracy, and maintaining compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.

• Assist Quality Assurance leadership with audit readiness, compliance activities, and initiatives that support product consistency and operational excellence.

Investigate, Solve & Improve

• Identify quality and food safety issues proactively and conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to determine why problems occur.

• Investigate non-conformances, customer complaints, process deviations, and product quality concerns and drive sustainable solutions.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Track corrective actions through completion and verify their effectiveness to prevent recurrence.

• Identify opportunities to improve quality systems, reduce defects, strengthen food safety practices, and improve operational performance.

Collaborate & Lead

• Work closely with the Senior Manager of Quality Assurance and teams across Production, Shipping, Procurement, Maintenance, Sanitation, Warehouse, and other departments.

• Communicate quality concerns clearly and constructively, helping teams understand both the issue and the path to resolution.

• Demonstrate leadership through accountability, effective communication, sound problem-solving, initiative, and ownership.

• Help build and maintain a strong food safety and quality culture across the operation.

What You Bring

Required / Preferred Experience

• 1–2 years of experience in food manufacturing, food safety, quality assurance, production, or a related environment preferred.

• Strong understanding of food safety principles, quality systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Experience in dairy manufacturing or food processing is highly desirable.

• Cold-chain experience preferred.

• Basic HACCP or PCQI certification/knowledge preferred. Food Protection Manager ServSafe certification mandatory within first 90 days of employment if not already obtained.
  

Skills & Mindset

• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to recognize issues before they become bigger problems.

• Ability to work independently, make informed decisions, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and leadership potential.

• Proactive problem-solver who is comfortable conducting RCA, following issues through to resolution, and holding teams accountable to corrective actions.

• Confident communicator who can make and defend quality decisions while maintaining positive, productive relationships.

• Comfortable using Microsoft Office, OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel, and Outlook.

Physical Requirements

The following requirements are representative of the physical demands of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with qualifying disabilities.

• Ability to work in cold-temperature environments, including freezer and cooler areas.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physically demanding tasks as needed.

Work Environment

This is a hands-on role that moves between warehouse, production, and office environments. You’ll work in a fast-paced food manufacturing setting, including freezer and cooler areas.

You should be comfortable working independently, collaborating with multiple teams, spending time on the production floor, and making quality-related decisions that directly support food safety, product consistency, and operational success.

Location: Marietta, GA
Reports to: Senior Manager of Quality Assurance

Schedule & Compensation

$20.00–$23.00 per hour