Quality and Food Safety Specialist, Solar Foods Oyj, Vantaa

Solar Foods is a visionary food-tech startup that develops revolutionary fermentation-based innovations for food production. As an active player in solving the global food crisis, Solar Foods provides new solutions that secure the sustainable use of natural resources by disconnecting food production from agriculture. The company’s groundbreaking innovation, Solein®, is the world’s most sustainable protein, and Solar Foods is on a mission to make it the key ingredient in the foods of tomorrow. Solar Foods doesn’t just envision the future, they are already living it. If you want to be part of an inspiring team dedicated to solving the future of food, Solar Foods might be your new home.

Kuvaus

As a Quality and Food Safety Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality in Solar Food's brand-new Factory 01. Your mission is to lead food safety efforts, maintain quality controls, and drive improvements that safeguard innovative production process.

You’ll be collaborating with 15 talented colleagues working in various roles (process operators, automation specialists, maintenance staff) – but your influence will span the entire Solar Foods family. At Solar Food they take food safety seriously and rely on your expertise to onboard and train new Solar Foodists as they grow. You’ll report directly to their Vice President of Production, Jouni Ahtinen.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Food Safety (HACCP) team, ensuring compliance with international food safety standards.
• Monitor and continuously improve product quality, ensuring adherence to production specifications.
• Oversee key operational practices, including nonconformity management, traceability, and supply chain control.
• Organize and deliver training sessions on hygiene and product safety.
• Maintain and enhance the food safety culture, fostering effective communication across the organization.
• Keep the Food Safety Management System documents updated and audit-ready.
• Coordinate audits and official inspections (e.g. FSSC, Halal, Kosher, Oiva)
• Provide quality support to production and product development teams to ensure a smooth, safe, and high-quality output.
• Cooperation with external service providers (e.g. cleaning, workwear, pest management, waste management).

You are offered

• ·Innovative, Impactful Work: Work with cutting-edge technology to produce protein from air and electricity, contributing to the future of sustainable food production. Join a team that’s solving global challenges like food security and climate change, and make a direct impact on the world.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside experts in food science, biotechnology, and sustainability, and enjoy opportunities for learning and personal growth.
• Diverse and Inclusive Culture: We believe in the power of diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds to join us in building the future of food.

We are looking for

• Proven experience and track record in quality assurance and food safety (approx. 5 years), with a passion for continuous improvement.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety management systems, backed by a degree in food technology, biotechnology, engineering, or a related field.
• Expertise in Finnish and EU food industry standards (e.g. FCCS 20000, ISO 9001), with knowledge of US legislation being a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to confidently train and guide others.
• Fluency in Finnish and English, both written and spoken.
• A proactive, independent, and detail-oriented mindset, with a passion for science-driven solutions.
• A team-player spirit with a commitment to learning and fostering a strong safety culture.

Our recruitment process

This recruitment process is handled by Academic Work and it is our client’s wish that all questions regarding the position is directed to Academic Work.

Our selection process is continuous and the advert may close before the recruitment process is completed if we have moved forward to the next phase. The process includes two tests: one personality test and one cognitive test. The tests are tools to find the right talent for the right position, to enable equality, diversity, and a fair process.

Note that since all duties at Solar Foods require precision, reliability, independent judgement, and a good ability to react, the employer has the right to require all new employees to undergo drug tests, performed by the occupational health care service provider.