Food Industry Quality Assurance Specialist – Humangest Spa (Udine)

Humangest S.p.A., a prominent Italian staffing agency, is currently recruiting for a Quality Assurance Specialist position on behalf of a food industry client based in Udine. The role, advertised as “ADDETTO/A ASSICURAZIONE QUALITA'”, reflects ongoing demand for skilled professionals in food safety and regulatory compliance within the region’s manufacturing sector. According to the job posting published on April 23, 2026, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing technical client requests, compiling product specifications, organizing and overseeing factory audits, addressing non-conformities, handling customer complaints, and updating quality documentation.

The position is offered as a full-time, temporary contract through Humangest’s Udine branch, with working hours structured from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday. Located in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, Udine serves as a key industrial and logistics hub, particularly for food processing and distribution networks serving both domestic and international markets. Candidates must hold a degree in Food Technology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field, possess at least two years of relevant experience in quality assurance or a similar role, demonstrate proficiency in English, and have access to personal transportation.

Humangest S.p.A. Operates as part of a larger national network providing workforce solutions across multiple sectors, including industry, logistics, healthcare, and services. The agency emphasizes equal opportunity employment and states its commitment to diversity and inclusion, in alignment with national anti-discrimination laws protecting individuals based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and other personal characteristics. This particular recruitment effort falls under the “Altro Settore” category within the food industry, highlighting the specialized nature of the role in ensuring product safety and regulatory adherence.

Role and Responsibilities in Food Quality Assurance

The core function of the ADDETTO/A ASSICURAZIONE QUALITA’ position centers on maintaining and verifying the quality and safety of food products throughout the production cycle. This includes acting as a liaison between the company and its clients by managing technical inquiries, which may involve ingredient specifications, allergen information, or compliance with international food standards such as ISO 22000 or IFS. Preparing and maintaining capitolati — detailed technical documents outlining product requirements — is a critical task that ensures alignment between supplier capabilities and customer expectations.

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A significant aspect of the role involves organizing and managing internal and external audits within the production facility. These audits assess whether processes comply with hygiene standards, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles, and relevant food safety regulations. Following any audit, the specialist must address identified non-conformities by implementing corrective actions and monitoring their effectiveness. Managing customer complaints requires a structured approach to investigate root causes, communicate findings, and prevent recurrence, thereby protecting brand reputation and consumer trust.

Documentation control is another essential duty, involving the regular review and updating of quality manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and records related to traceability, testing, and staff training. In an industry where regulatory scrutiny is intense — particularly in the European Union, where food law is governed by regulations such as (EC) No 178/2002 — accurate and accessible documentation is not only operationally vital but also legally necessary during inspections by authorities such as the Italian Ministry of Health or local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) offices.

Qualifications and Competency Requirements

Applicants for this position must hold a university degree in a scientific discipline relevant to food production, and safety. Acceptable fields include Food Technology, which focuses on the processing, preservation, and packaging of food; Biology, particularly microbiology as it relates to pathogen control; or Chemistry, useful for analyzing additives, contaminants, and nutritional content. Alternative degrees in closely related areas may also be considered, provided they demonstrate foundational knowledge in food science or analytical methods.

The requirement for at least two years of direct experience in quality assurance or an analogous role ensures that candidates are familiar with industry-standard practices, audit procedures, and regulatory frameworks. This experience level suggests the employer seeks someone capable of operating with minimal supervision, potentially mentoring junior staff or leading small-scale quality initiatives. Proficiency in English is specified, likely reflecting the need to communicate with international clients, interpret foreign regulatory guidelines, or participate in audits conducted by multinational retailers or certification bodies.

The expectation that candidates be automuniti — possessing personal transportation — acknowledges the geographical spread of industrial zones in and around Udine, where public transit may not reliably connect residential areas to manufacturing sites located in peripheral areas such as the Udine industrial district or nearby communes like Pasian di Prato or Tavagnacco. This logistical detail underscores the practical realities of workforce mobility in regional Italy, where car ownership often influences employability in sectors situated outside urban centers.

Context: Humangest S.p.A. And the Udine Labor Market

Humangest S.p.A. Is a well-established Italian temporary operate agency with a significant presence in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The company’s Udine filiale, referenced in the April 23, 2026 job posting, is one of several local offices through which it delivers staffing solutions to businesses across various industries. Recent listings from Humangest in the Province of Udine include roles such as Junior Maintenance Technician, Food and Beverage Manager for hotel chains, and Cleaning Operatives, indicating a diverse portfolio of client needs spanning hospitality, manufacturing, and facility management.

Context: Humangest S.p.A. And the Udine Labor Market
Udine Humangest Food
Food Industry Quality Assurance Interview Questions Real QA Scenarios Explained

The agency operates under Italy’s labor regulations governing temporary work (somministrazione di lavoro), which define the rights and obligations of agency workers, host companies, and staffing firms. Employees placed through Humangest receive contractual protections including fair wages, social security contributions, and access to training, although benefits may differ from those of permanent staff. The company’s public statements emphasize compliance with national labor laws and its adherence to principles of equal treatment, rejecting discrimination in hiring, promotion, and workplace conditions.

Udine’s labor market reflects broader economic trends in northeastern Italy, where traditional manufacturing is increasingly integrated with high-value food production, pharmaceuticals, and mechanical engineering. The province benefits from proximity to major transport corridors, including the A23 autostrada linking Udine to Tarvisio and the Austrian border, facilitating export-oriented industries. Food manufacturing remains a notable sector, supported by regional specialties such as San Daniele prosciutto, Montasio cheese, and Friulano wine, all of which require rigorous quality control to maintain protected geographical indication (PGI) or denominación de origen protegida (DOP) status.

Industry Significance and Regulatory Framework

Food quality assurance roles like the one advertised by Humangest are integral to maintaining public health and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards. In the European Union, food businesses are legally obligated to implement self-checking systems based on HACCP principles, as mandated by Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs. These systems require documented procedures for identifying hazards, establishing critical control points, monitoring effectiveness, and taking corrective actions — functions directly aligned with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Industry Significance and Regulatory Framework
Udine Food Quality

Beyond baseline hygiene, many food producers in Udine and surrounding areas pursue voluntary certifications such as BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance), IFS Food, or SQF (Safe Quality Food) to meet the requirements of large retail chains or export markets. Quality assurance specialists play a central role in preparing for and sustaining these certifications, which involve regular third-party audits, detailed record-keeping, and continuous improvement processes. Failure to maintain compliance can result in loss of certification, restricted market access, or reputational damage.

The role also intersects with consumer protection laws, particularly in the handling of complaints and recalls. Under EU Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, businesses must provide clear labeling regarding allergens, nutrition, and origin. When issues arise — such as undeclared allergens or microbial contamination — the quality assurance team is typically involved in assessing risk, coordinating with regulatory bodies, and managing communication with consumers and retailers. Effective complaint management not only resolves individual incidents but can reveal systemic weaknesses requiring process redesign or staff retraining.

Career Prospects and Professional Development

For professionals entering or advancing in the field of food quality assurance, positions such as this offer a pathway to greater responsibility within corporate quality, regulatory affairs, or food safety management structures. Experience gained in managing audits, handling non-conformities, and interfacing with clients and authorities builds a competency base that is transferable across industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and pet food manufacturing. Over time, individuals may progress to roles such as Quality Manager, Audit Lead, or Compliance Officer, particularly if they pursue additional training in areas like food law, auditing techniques (e.g., ISO 19011), or leadership.

The demand for qualified quality assurance personnel remains steady in Italy and across Europe, driven by globalization of supply chains, increasing consumer awareness of food safety, and stricter enforcement by regulatory authorities. According to data from Eurostat and national labor observatories, employment in technical and scientific roles within the food sector has shown moderate growth over the past decade, particularly in regions with strong agro-industrial bases like Friuli Venezia Giulia. Temporary staffing agencies like Humangest often serve as entry points for candidates seeking to gain experience before transitioning to permanent positions, especially in competitive or specialized fields.

Continuing education is highly valued in this profession. Many quality assurance practitioners pursue certifications such as the Certified Food Safety Professional (CFSP) offered by international bodies or participate in workshops hosted by institutions like the Italian Association of Food Science and Technology (AIITA) or regional chambers of commerce. Fluency in English, as required in this role, is frequently cited as a career-enhancing skill, enabling participation in international standards development, cross-border audits, and access to global research and best practices.

How to Apply and Contact Information

Interested candidates are instructed to contact Humangest’s Udine office directly via telephone at 04321439530 or by email at [email protected]. The agency’s official website, humangest.it, provides additional information about its services, privacy policy, and commitment to ethical recruitment practices. As with any job application, applicants are advised to prepare a tailored curriculum vitae highlighting relevant academic qualifications, professional experience in quality-related functions, language skills, and availability for full-time work.

Given the specificity of the requirements — particularly the degree mandate, experience threshold, and language proficiency — applicants who do not meet all criteria may still benefit from submitting their information for consideration in other current or future openings. Humangest maintains an active database of candidates and regularly updates its listings across multiple provinces, allowing individuals to explore alternative roles in logistics, administration, production, or technical support that may align more closely with their background.

The job posting remains active as of the date of publication, April 23, 2026, though staffing agencies typically update or close listings based on client hiring timelines. Candidates are encouraged to act promptly, as temporary positions in specialized fields can be filled quickly, especially when aligned with urgent operational needs such as upcoming audits, seasonal production increases, or compliance deadlines.

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