Quality Assurance Technician

Starts at $17.49 an hour // $500 sign-on bonus after 90 days with excellent attendance // paid time off and health benefits.

Become part of the dedicated team that creates delicious desserts from scratch for thousands of restaurants across the United States.

This is an exciting opportunity for a recent college graduate looking to gain experience in a food manufacturing plant setting. Work with our amazing FSQA Manager to help grow our FSQA Department! We are a dynamic and growing dessert manufacturer and looking for a hard-working, passionate, and reliable individual to add to our FSQA team. 

Position Summary 

The QA Technician will be an integral part of helping to build out our growing FSQA Department. The QA Tech works independently in all areas of the food manufacturing process from raw materials receiving all the way through to shipping out finished products. They will perform various duties to assist the FSQA Department in the production of safe quality products.  This individual will be responsible for verification of good manufacturing practices (GMP), sanitation, and our food safety and HACCP programs, and will also assist the QA Manager in maintaining compliance with local, state and federal regulations and other programs such as Safe Quality Food (SQF) and Kosher.

Primary Responsibilities

Daily

• Performs the morning pre-operational sanitation verification (Pre-Op)
• Monitors and verifies our critical control point (CCP) throughout the day and as required
• Conducts and documents daily audits and quality checks of the production area
• Monitors HACCP programs/requirements throughout the plant
• Performs allergen testing on equipment and other areas as required 
• Ensures the correct recipe for products is being followed during processing
• Manages food safety and SQF standards, by conducting audits, training, and enforcing programs
• Educates and encourages employees 
• Collects product samples for sensory evaluations
• Correctly fills out and files all relevant records, logs, and required documentation
• Takes corrective action when necessary regarding labeling, run order, and other food safety issues
• Places products on hold as needed 
• Assists with customer complaint tracking (investigation and follow through)
• Assists QA manager with mock recalls and traceability exercises
• Checks and calibrates scales, thermometers, pH meter and other equipment as needed
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned

Ongoing

• Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to food safety and quality by working closely with the company’s leadership team to ensure that high-quality, wholesome products are being produced. 
• Must be willing to work weekends and overtime hours

Schedule

• 1st-shift position (4:30am - 2:30pm; hours may change depending on business needs)
• Must be able to work Tuesday-Saturday 

Key Relationships

• Reports to the FSQA Manager
• Works closely with the production and sanitation crew

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to keep multiple tasks and projects moving forward
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Intermediate-advanced computer skills (solid competency with navigating and working with spreadsheets, word processing tools, internet-based research; can easily learn and adapt to new technology and software applications)
• Assertive and personable communication style - not afraid to speak up, knows how to build rapport with others, able to provide corrective feedback effectively. 
• Solutions-oriented, growth mindset thinking individual. 

Education and Experience Requirements

• Associate's degree in a science-based area of study; two years of a quality assurance position and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology or Biological Science preferred.

Physical Requirements Include:

• Must be able to perform physical tasks, including stand, stoop, squat, bend, lift, reach and crouch on a regular basis. Full body mobility. 
• Able to work in varied temperature environments.
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs, on an occasional basis.
• 20% sitting / desk-based work; 80% walking and standing in the production facility
  

The position requires that an employee be capable of the following:

** Coronavirus / COVID-19-specific requirements

• ** Job must be performed on site at our manufacturing facility.
• ** Pass daily coronavirus / COVID-19 screenings (OSHA compliant): temperature checks and screening questionnaire.
• ** Meet coronavirus / COVID-19 safety requirements, including: 1) Wear a surgical face mask correctly at all times during the shift, 2) Wash hands immediately upon entry to the facility and throughout the shift, 3) maintain a 6-foot distance from all co-workers, 4) be willing to take on-site COVID tests periodically.
  
• Successful completion of pre-employment COVID test, drug and background screening, and work-related reference check.
• Work closely with others in a team atmosphere.
• Meet food-safety requirements, which includes: no jewelry (earrings or other exposed facial piercings, ear gauges, necklaces, watches, rings, etc.), false eyelashes, fingernail polish or fake nails.

Compensation & Benefits

• $17.49 per hour to start
• $500 sign-on bonus after 90 days with excellent attendance
• Paid Time Off program
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance (full-time benefit after waiting period)
• Company-paid Life Insurance (full-time benefit after waiting period)
• Most major holidays off (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)

Tennessee Cheesecake is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

The Company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included.  It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions and responsibilities.  Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.