Quality Technician

Purpose

Inspects raw materials and finished products; tests and adjusts packaging and canning equipment during processing; records inspection and testing data; and notifies the Supervisor or appropriate Management personnel of irregularities. Supports the plant’s food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements through routine inspections, testing, monitoring, and verification activities.

The duties of this position are those described below. This job description does not state or imply that the duties listed are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. Employees holding this position may be required to perform other job‑related duties as requested by Management.

$24.04 an hour

These duties directly and substantially support the purpose of the position.

• Monitors all phases of production with the goal of identifying and alerting Operations to food safety processes, procedures, GMPs, or other conditions that are approaching a potential out-of-control status.
• Assists Operations in returning processes to a controlled condition and assists in determining corrective actions to eliminate or reduce future quality issues.
• Identifies variables in processing parameters that may affect food safety, product quality, plant efficiency, and overall cost.
• Performs daily production sanitation inspections.
• Performs daily Food Defense inspections.
• Participates in audit preparations.
• Verifies that the correct spices and ingredients are being used according to applicable specifications.
• Completes SAP tasks related to the release of finished products and materials.
• Performs line, equipment, and product checks, including but not limited to CCPs, fill weight, net weight, sauce weight, vacuum, headspace, double seam, metal detector, X-ray, Brix, and temperature checks.
• Performs laboratory testing of raw materials and finished products, including salt, pH, and Brix testing.
• Performs calibration of measuring instruments, including thermometers, vacuum gauges, pH meters, salt meters, scales, and other applicable equipment.
• Participates in weekly, monthly, and quarterly Quality Control inspections as assigned.
• Trains and cross‑trains employees as assigned.
• Maintains the ability and willingness to become cross‑trained in specific Quality Assurance Department functions to provide coverage for absent or key personnel.

Quality Assurance Technicians may be assigned and cross‑trained to perform the following duties based on department needs, production requirements, and employee qualifications:

• Can Seam and Container Inspection:
  Performs testing and examination of manufactured can seams and containers to verify quality and compliance with established specifications. Records all test results and identifies out-of-specification cans or products. Initiates appropriate hold procedures to isolate and secure affected product from normal distribution. Maintains required training in double seam inspection, can defects, and double seam tear‑down procedures.
• Weights and Measures:
  Performs testing and examination of canned and bottled products to verify weights, measurements, quality, and compliance with established specifications. Records all testing results and identifies and places out-of-specification product on hold as required.
• Receiving Inspection:
  Performs testing and examination of received raw materials and critical ingredients to verify quality and compliance with established specifications. Records inspection and testing results and identifies and places nonconforming materials on hold as required. Current receiving inspection activities include labels and USDA ingredients.
• Co‑Packer and Contract Shucking Oversight:
  Monitors co‑packer and contract shucking operations to…