Quality Technician - 1st Shift

POSITION SUMMARY:

The purpose of the Quality Assurance technician is to insure proper specifications are met and documented on all incoming ingredients and packaging materials and outgoing finished products. The technicians also communicate all findings to the necessary departments. A

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform periodic in process quality checks: weights, dimensions, temperature, sensory, document reviews, etc.
• Inspect incoming packaging materials and ingredients for: proper labeling/coding, allergen labeling requirements, adherence to manufacturing specifications, etc.
• Perform periodic finished product checks: case weights, case counts, packaging integrity, case coding, labeling, etc.
• Assist in drafting, revision, and maintenance of plant standard operating procedures.
• Act as a liaison between Production, Distribution, Sanitation, Maintenance, and the Quality Department.
• Participate in plant food safety/quality inspections, in-process inspections, mock recall, label audits, HACCP audits, and thermometer calibrations as required.
• Verify proper set-up of production lines at start-up and shift change: Printer set-up (coding), packaging materials, labeling, quality limits, etc.
• Verify sanitary condition of production lines prior to start-up and after downtime requiring maintenance activity.
• Verify compliance with label stated weights and associated regulations for all products.
• Maintain Redzone compliance.
• Communicate quality issues with Production and Quality Management and assist in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions where appropriate.
• Perform investigative environmental swabbing of critical production equipment/areas as a troubleshooting guide.
• Assist in investigations in response to customer concerns or other quality related deviations to determine root cause and appropriate corrective actions.
• Assist in the management of quality hold activities, including non-conforming product inventories.
• Ensure adherence to company Good Manufacturing Practices, customer specifications, and internal product specifications at all times.
• Assist Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor and Technicians as needed.
• Expected to adhere to safe work practices, follow GMP and HACCP guidelines, maintain sanitary conditions and ensure that product quality is maintained in order to maintain SQF Quality Certification. Report to management any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety, food quality or personnel safety.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups, customers/vendors or employees of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Driver's license
• Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Certification

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in food science or industry related degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Proficient communication skills across various departments.
• Knowledge of company and regulatory policies, procedures and philosophies.
• Proficient organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) and ability to coach/train others on GMP's.
• Basic proficiency using computer programs (MS Office) for collecting and analyzing data and writing procedures and reports.
• Demonstrated proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Ability to participate in cross-functional teams.
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting skills.
• Basic administrative duties.
• Ability to operate specific equipment or tools
• Ability to type or take shorthand and speed required
• Skill in working with computers and experience with spreadsheet and word-processing software.
• Familiarity with special terminology such as legal, medical, or scientific terms