QA Technician

Vaco is hiring a QA Technician

Location:

Chicago, IL

Compensation: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Schedule:

6am-2:30pm M-F with flex to cover pre-op (4am) when needed.

Vaco is hiring a QA Technician for a food manufacturing facility in Chicago, IL. This position will support quality assurance and food safety activities across laboratory and production operations. The ideal candidate will have previous QA/QC experience within a food manufacturing environment.
Food or protein manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities will vary based on scheduled assignment and may include:

• Calibrate and verify laboratory instrumentation.
• Perform incoming, in-process, and finished-product laboratory testing.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections of production areas, including visual inspections, ATP swabbing, and allergen swabbing.
• Coordinate recleaning and resanitizing activities when necessary.
• Complete customer-specific quality requirements and specifications.
• Follow established monitoring and verification schedules for:
  • Environmental conditions
  • Coolers and freezers
  • Foamers and chemical concentrations
  • Scales and other production equipment
• Prepare samples for third-party laboratory testing.
• Work with USDC inspectors as required.
• Verify and document in-process production functions, including:
  • Water and product temperatures
  • Dumping and desalting
  • Injection
  • Cure and cover brines
• Verify and document finished-product processing, including:
  • Metal detection performance
  • Finished-product settings
  • Batch ratios
  • Code dates, labels, and stickers
  • Product weights
  • Packaging materials
  • Product changeovers
• Communicate with outside service providers and vendors, including sanitation, pest control, chemical control, outside laboratories, and waste management.
• Accurately complete all required QA/QC documentation.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• High school diploma required; some college preferred.
• 1–2 years of QA/QC Technician experience preferred.
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing environment required.
• Food or protein manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to work early morning hours, including a 4:00 AM start time
  , as needed to support pre-operational activities.
• Fluent in English with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual Spanish is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Exposure to environmental monitoring processes preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in both laboratory and production-floor environments.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting.

The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.