Quality Assurance Technician

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

As a Quality Assurance Technician for RTE foods, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that all products meet established safety, quality, and regulatory specifications. You will be responsible for monitoring processes, conducting tests, maintaining documentation, and actively contributing to our continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires a strong understanding of food safety principles and a commitment to maintaining a safe and sanitary production environment.

• Product and Process Monitoring:
  • Conduct visual inspections and perform tests on raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods to ensure compliance with specifications (e.g., texture, color, pH, salt, drained weights, viscosity).
  • Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs) and prerequisite programs (e.g., SSOPs, GMPs, metal detection, cooking and chilling procedures) as outlined in HACCP plans.
  • Perform pre-operational and operational sanitation checks.
  • Conduct micro swabs, allergen swabs, thermometer calibrations, and other analytical tests as required.
  • Perform additional analytical testing as needed for R&D, Sales, Customer requests, KPI’s, Shelf life studies.
• Documentation and Record Keeping:
  • Accurately complete detailed documentation and maintain precise records of production data, test results, and traceability information.
  • Review and reconcile all QA/QC records, including labels and printed box verifications.
  • Prepare and distribute HOLD reports for non-conforming products.
• Compliance and Auditing:
  • Ensure all food production activities comply with current food safety laws and guidelines (BRC, FDA, USDA).
  • Conduct regular GMP inspections, Glass and Brittle plastic inspection, and other food safety and quality audits.
  • Actively participate in internal and external audits, including USDA inspections.
• Problem Solving and Corrective Actions:
  • Actively monitor production processes to prevent potential issues before they arise.
  • Identify, investigate, and communicate out-of-compliance situations and product standards to leadership.
  • Assist in identifying root causes of quality or food safety issues.
  • Assist in implementing corrective and preventative actions to prevent reoccurrence.
  • Assist in investigating customer complaints and nonconformance incidents.
  • Place tags to hold or reject product, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
• Equipment Management:
  • Operate laboratory instruments and testing devices (e.g., moisture analyzers, pH meters).
  • Perform regular calibration and maintenance of equipment to ensure accurate results.
• Communication and
  
  Collaboration:
  • Communicate and report all food safety or quality concerns to management or other production personnel.
  • Collaborate with production, sanitation, and maintenance teams to ensure adherence to quality and safety standards.
  • Collaborate with the warehouse team pull samples/retains and discard when applicable.
• Work hours:
  
  2:00 PM – 11:30 PM, 3:00PM – 12:30 AM; including extended hours and weekends according to business needs.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by immediate supervisor and management team.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1-3 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably with Ready-to-Eat (RTE) products.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and other food safety programs. HACCP certification preferred.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Abili…