Quality Assurance Technician

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Location:
  
  Pastry Star – Laurel, MD
• Pay Rate: $20.00 – $25.00 per hour (based on experience)
• Schedule:
  
  Monday–Friday, 2:30 PM – 11:00 PM
• Job Type: Full-Time

The QA Technician supports food safety and quality programs in a food manufacturing environment. This role is hands-on and production-floor based, ensuring compliance with GMP, GDP, HACCP, and SQF requirements to maintain safe, high-quality products.

• Perform and document quality control and food safety testing on production batches in compliance with GMPs, GDPs, HACCP plans, and SQF standards.
• Conduct and document shelf-life and stability testing; report and escalate nonconforming results.
• Perform and document scheduled calibrations of QA and select production equipment, including thermometers, scales, refractometers, kettle probes, and metal detectors; report out-of-spec equipment to Maintenance and Management.
• Verify and monitor metal detection systems, including routine challenge tests and documentation.
• Perform random, on-the-floor equipment checks to ensure proper operation and compliance.
• Conduct, trend, and document environmental monitoring; communicate results and corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs), including hygiene, allergen controls, packaging, labeling, and food defense.
• Ensure accurate and timely paperwork completion, including batch records, CCP logs, metal detection logs, calibration records, and deviation reports.
• Support HACCP and Preventive Controls programs through verification activities and personnel observation.
• Assist with inspections, internal audits, SQF audits, knife/blade inspections, returned product evaluations, and nonconforming product investigations.
• Collaborate with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and R&D teams to support continuous improvement and food safety compliance.
• Maintain food safety and quality documentation, including product specifications, kosher certifications, vendor records, and SDS files.

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or minimum of three (3) years of experience in food manufacturing QA/QC
• Hands-on experience with metal detection, equipment verification, and food safety documentation
• Working knowledge of GMP, GDP, HACCP, and SQF
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Fluency in Spanish preferred but not required

• ⚠️ WE E-VERIFY Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Must reliably commute to Laurel, MD, or plan to relocate prior to start date