About this role
Interested in a career that matters?
At Novonesis, we use biology to create sustainable solutions that improve everyday life and address global challenges. Our work spans food and beverage, human health, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology—helping industries meet global challenges through innovation.
Quality and food safety are at the core of how we operate, enabling us to build trust with customers worldwide. At our Salem, VA site, you’ll join a collaborative team working across production, laboratory, engineering, and sanitation to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant manufacturing operations.
If you’re motivated to grow your career in quality and compliance while making a tangible impact in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.
The Role & Your Impact
As a Quality Specialist, you will lead daily quality and compliance activities in a biotechnology manufacturing environment, ensuring adherence to GMP and food safety standards. This is a highly cross-functional role with direct impact on manufacturing performance, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. You will serve as a key partner to operations—translating requirements into practical actions, resolving issues in real time, and strengthening quality systems to support safe and efficient production.
Key responsibilities include:
Lead daily quality and food safety activities within manufacturing operations
Conduct GMP inspections, audits, and process verification to ensure compliance
Partner with operations teams to identify and resolve quality issues in real time
Investigate deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints, and drive corrective actions
Maintain and enhance food safety and quality management systems
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen process reliability and compliance
Leverage digital tools and data (including AI-enabled systems) to improve trending, reporting, and workflows
Ensure accurate documentation and support internal, regulatory, and customer audits
Build strong cross-functional relationships with operations and technical teams
What You’ll Need to Be Successful
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related field
OR 3–5 years of manufacturing or production experience in food, biotech, pharmaceutical, or industrial environments with interest in quality/compliance
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Ability to work perform effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Proficiency with basic computer systems and digital tools
Strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities
Willingness to learn and apply new technologies, systems, and AI-enabled tools
Additional Skills & Interests We Value
Experience in biotech, food, pharmaceutical, or ingredient manufacturing
Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, and food safety systems
Experience with digital systems such as SAP, LIMS, MES, or Power BI
Knowledge of lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies
Experience working cross-functionally within operations environments
What We Offer
The opportunity to contribute to solutions that impact billions of people globally
Hands-on experience in advanced biotechnology manufacturing
Clear opportunities to grow into roles across quality, compliance, and operations leadership
Development in AI-enabled manufacturing and data-driven decision-making
A collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability
Ways of Working / Working Conditions
A highly operations-facing role with regular presence on the production floor
Close collaboration with cross-functional teams including operations and engineering
Fast-paced environment requiring adaptability and proactive problem-solving
Exposure to industrial manufacturing conditions and GMP-regulated environments
Compensation & Benefits
Expected salary range: $64,467-$88,644
Benefits you will enjoy:
401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
Healthcare savings account option with generous employer contribution
Employee assistance program
Parental leave
Tuition reimbursement
All benefits begin on your first day
Relevant Information
Location: Salem, VA
Application deadline: July 3, 2026
Our purpose guides the way
In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.
Opportunities for everyone
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.
We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.
Explore other openings
If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career
About Novonesis
Global biosolutions company formed from the merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, specializing in industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and bioscience innovation. Headquartered in Bagsvaerd, Denmark.
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