Quality Assurance Technician

Job Title

Quality Assurance Technician

As a Quality Assurance Technician, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of our food products. Your primary responsibility is to maintain high standards of safety and quality in our production processes by facilitating effective communication between Quality Assurance staff and other departments. You will verify, document, and conduct various tests on raw materials, finished products, and packaging materials.

Your role also involves collaborating with manufacturing operators to prevent defects and manage quality holds effectively.

• Work safely by following proper methods and completing Safety Observations in a timely manner.
• Facilitate communication between QA staff and other departments within the plant.
• Verify and document the calibration of lab testing equipment.
• Check codes on boxes, cases, and pallets to ensure correct coding of finished products.
• Perform finished product testing, raw material testing, and package material testing as specified per the testing control plan.
• Conduct established lab tests consistent with the company's Quality Assurance procedures/methods for pasta.
• Perform cooking evaluations on production samples and dimension testing on finished product samples using micrometers and calipers.
• Document and summarize experimental data for analysis and interpretation.
• Serve as the contact person for production and communicate changes and issues to supervisors.
• Input data into the data collection system and track in Excel as needed.
• Collaborate with manufacturing operators to prevent defects and remove causes when defects are found.
• Perform routine maintenance on lab equipment.
• Manage Quality holds to ensure isolation and prevent accidental shipment.
• Compile end‑of‑the‑month reports as required.
• Work in conjunction with the corporate office to facilitate product release in the absence of the Quality Professional.

• 1+ year of previous lab experience is required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Culinary Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or other related field.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, GMPs, food safety, GLPs, statistics, and lab techniques is preferred.
• Experience in quality assurance, quality control, food science, microbiology, and food chemistry.

• Strong passion for food science.
• Safety‑focused mindset.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively and manage time efficiently.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
• Strong attention to detail; must not be color blind or visually impaired.

This role requires working the night shift from 6 pm to 2 am. Initially, training will occur Monday to Friday from 7 am to 4 pm for approximately 6‑8 weeks. The dress code is casual but safety‑focused, requiring steel‑toed or composite boots and work‑appropriate jeans and t‑shirts.

Contract to Hire position based out of Ames, IA.

Pay range: $23.91 – $26.30 per hour.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (voluntary life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Fully onsite position in Ames, IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

We consider reasonable accommodations. If you would like to request an accommodation, such as the modification of the job application process, please email actalentaccom for other accommodation options.

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.