Quality Technician

Job Title:

Quality Technician

Job Description

The Quality Technician ensures that food products consistently meet established quality, safety, and regulatory standards. This role conducts standardized tests on intermediate and finished products, performs flavor analysis that includes tasting items containing common allergens, and supports continuous improvement of manufacturing processes. The position operates on 1st shift but requires flexibility to work as early as 5:00 a.m. and as late as 9:00 p.m. to cover other shifts as needed, with standard workdays structured as 8-hour shifts.

This is a full-time role in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment focused on delivering safe, high-quality products.

Responsibilities

+ Conduct standardized tests on intermediate and finished food products to ensure they comply with specifications and regulatory requirements related to size, color, flavor, and other quality attributes.

+ Perform flavor analysis by tasting products that may contain allergens such as wheat, milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nut, and sesame, and accurately document sensory results.

+ Check metal detectors regularly to verify proper operation and immediately report any malfunctions to the appropriate personnel.

+ Gather retention samples, microbiological samples, and control samples from raw materials and finished products according to established procedures.

+ Prepare microbiological sample composites and complete all associated paperwork for timely pickup by the laboratory.

+ Examine and approve product labels prior to printing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory and company standards.

+ Place product on hold when quality or safety concerns arise and assist with investigations to determine root causes and corrective actions.

+ Complete daily paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including test results, inspections, and quality records.

+ Comply with all safety and sanitation regulations, including SQF code, plant programs, HACCP, GMPs, and company policies, and enforce and report deficiencies when appropriate.

+ Analyze quality data to identify trends, problem areas, and potential risks, and assist in resolving manufacturing processes or methods that affect quality.

+ Participate on cross-functional teams to address and resolve quality issues and to support continuous improvement of processes and methods.

+ Obtain environmental samples as required and ensure they are handled, labeled, and documented correctly.

+ Support quality control, quality assurance, and quality inspection activities in alignment with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and HACCP requirements.

+ Perform other related duties as assigned to support overall quality and food safety objectives.

Essential Skills

+ Ability to conduct standardized tests on food products and interpret results against established quality and regulatory standards.

+ Capability to perform flavor analysis, including tasting products containing allergens such as wheat, milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nut, and sesame.

+ Strong attention to detail when inspecting product attributes, reviewing labels, and documenting quality data.

+

Experience with quality control, quality assurance, and quality inspection in a food industry environment.

+ Knowledge of and adherence to HACCP, GMPs, SQF code, and plant quality and safety programs.

+ Ability to operate and verify the performance of metal detectors and promptly report malfunctions.

+ Competence in collecting, handling, and preparing microbiological and environmental samples, including creating composites and completing associated paperwork.

+ Skill in analyzing quality data to identify issues and support process improvements.

+ Ability to work a flexible schedule within 1st shift, including starting as early as 5:00 a.m. and working as late as 9:00 p.m. to cover other shifts, with standard 8-hour shifts.

+ 2 years of college with 1-2 years of related experience, or a 4-year high school diploma with 3-5 years of progressively responsible related experience.

+ Strong documentation skills for completing daily paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.

+ Ability to comply with and help enforce safety and sanitation regulations within a food manufacturing environment.

+ No food allergies, due to regular handling and tasting of products containing nuts, dairy, and other allergen ingredients.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

+ Familiarity with standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to quality control and food safety.

+ Demonstrated experience participating in cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and improve processes.

+ Proven ability to handle progressively responsible duties in a quality-focused role.

+ Comfort working in environments with varying temperatures, including colder production areas.

+ Interest in ongoing training, mentoring, and professional growth within the quality and food safety field.

Work Environment

This role is…