Quality Assurance Technician

The Quality Assurance Technician is a self-driven/self-motivated candidate capable of working proficiently, both independently and as part of a team, without direct supervision. The successful individual must have a passion for safety and be able to foster effective working relationships built upon trust and respect within all levels of the organization. Persons must possess excellent communication skills to effectively interact on a timely basis via appropriate communication media both internally and externally. Persons must possess strong technical and computer related skills. The successful individual will monitor, test, record, and react on data pertaining to products/production processes/quality systems to ensure highest standards of quality and food safety are met or exceeded and products produced are in compliance with federal, state, and company specifications. Report Directly to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.

Requirements

Must have a Baccalaureate Degree in Science, Biology, Food Science or applicable field.

Must have knowledge in Food Safety.

HACCP Certified preferred.

SQF experience preferred.

2 years of experience in quality control for food consumption products preferred.

Experience with USDA/FDA preferred.

Must be flexible with schedule.

Knowledge in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 
(The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Must have the ability to work in cold temperatures.

Must have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Must have the ability to stand for extended periods of time.

Must have ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb stairs.

Must have the ability to see and handle product, machinery, and hand tools.

Summary

Essential Functions:

Assist in improving, developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective QA program, to include comprehensive GMP program: Chemical Control Program, Allergen Control, Operational Methods and Personnel Practices, Cleaning and sanitation practices, preventive Maintenance and Repair, etc.

Sampling of raw materials and finished goods.

Setting up and participating in sensory testing.

QA analysis: bulk density, particle size and water activity (raw materials and blends)

Assist in preparing samples for sales department and shows.

Oversees Environmental Monitoring Program.

Internal document control including developing, improving, and maintaining QA SOPs, production SOPs, raw material/finished good Specifications and all quality QA and recall-ready documents.

Inventory management including; short dated and expired products, re-work requests, returns and donations.

Investigate and help resolve blending and packaging problems (process improvements);

Assists in audits/inspections.

Assists in label proofing and is primarily responsible for internal label review.

Perform Sanitation checks daily/ weekly/ monthly/ quarterly, report any issues and follow up until resolved.

Assess the quality of raw and ready to eat products and record accurate outcomes at specific times of the production operations.

Sampling incoming raw materials and finished products.

Checking to ensure dates are correct to customer specifications on packing lines, as well as box labels, and report any errors immediately.

Ensuring correct mix, spice and additives are being used per SQF requirements.

Communicating any deviations to foreman and/or a supervisor and following up on the deviation until problem has been resolved.

Perform incoming raw material check, including trailer inspection (cleanliness, temperature, overall conditions), box inspection (intact, undamaged), product appearance & temperature, adherence to product purchasing specifications and weight

Perform outgoing finished product inspection, including reviewing filled orders for accuracy, inspecting box condition prior to shipping, verify product temperature is within acceptable level, inspecting trailers for cleanliness, temperature, satisfactory condition and completion of box label, product content and weight checks.

Perform work in progress QC tasks, including equipment calibration (thermometers, scales, antimicrobial application) and monitoring of metal detector operation, monitoring of aged inventory, order filler checks, CCP verification, daily monitoring of antimicrobial application.

Conduct employees training when necessary.

Complete and submit regular reports for statistical or operational analysis.

Other tasks as assigned.

Competencies:

Ability to work in a high-speed manufacturing environment.

Strong, logical decision-making skills; Problem Solving- Think ahead when information is not always available- use all your senses and resources as tools. Understand the relationship between issues and processes and use logical reasoning.

Must be able to efficiently manage time and meet deadlines; Organize and prioritize your own actions efficiently and manage a variety of tasks simultaneously. Be flexible and react favorably to multiple priorities and changing schedules and daily assignments. Demonstrate a sense of urgency and focus on actions.

Exhibit sense of ownership and accountability.

Establish and maintain effective work relationships within the department and the company; Team Commitment -Handle conflict in a mature manner.

Establish trust with coworkers. Encourage team collaboration. Understand the people and departments you connect to. Support team decisions.

Ability to multitask with strong attention to detail.

Communications - Exhibit honest and clear communication for effective teamwork.

Treat everyone equally with respect- listen to others and make them feel valued.