Quality Tech

OSF Quality Technician Job Description Position Summary

The Quality Technician is responsible for supporting the facility’s food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs within a Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food manufacturing environment. This position performs routine inspections, in-process checks, documentation review, environmental and product monitoring, and verification activities to ensure all products meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.

The Quality Technician plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with GMPs, HACCP, SQF/BRC standards, USDA/FDA regulations, and internal quality systems.

• Perform routine line inspections and production checks throughout the shift.
• Verify compliance with GMPs, sanitation, personnel practices, and allergen controls.
• Conduct pre-operational and operational inspections of production rooms, packaging lines, and equipment.
• Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs) including metal detectors, cook/chill temperatures, seal integrity, label verification, and other food safety checks.
• Perform scheduled weight, code date, label, packaging, and seal checks.
• Verify products meet established specifications for appearance, texture, weight, temperature, and packaging integrity.
• Inspect finished goods for defects prior to release.

• Complete and review QA forms, CCP logs, sanitation records, and production paperwork accurately and in real time.
• Verify all required documentation is completed correctly by associates.
• Escalate missing, incomplete, or inaccurate records to supervision.
• Maintain traceability documentation including lot codes, ingredient verification, and production records.
• Support document control and filing of QA records.

• Collect product samples for:
• • Microbiological testing
  • Shelf-life studies
  • Retain samples
  • Customer or third-party testing
• Conduct routine testing such as:
• • Viscosity
  • Water activity
  • Temperature verification
  • Net weight checks
  • Sensory evaluations
• Perform environmental monitoring and swabbing as required.

• Verify correct labels, sleeves, film, and packaging materials are in use.
• Confirm allergen statements, lot coding, expiration dates, and product identity are accurate.
• Inspect seals, closures, and package integrity throughout production.
• Verify changeovers are completed correctly to prevent label mix-ups and cross-contact risks.

• Identify and document product or process deviations.
• Place affected product on QA hold when required.
• Notify supervisors and management of food safety or quality concerns immediately.
• Assist with investigations involving:
• • Foreign material
  • Customer complaints
  • Packaging defects
  • Process deviations
• Support corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities.

• Support internal, customer, USDA/FDA, and third-party audits.
• Ensure compliance with:
• • HACCP plans
  • SQF / BRC requirements
  • GMPs
  • SOPs
  • Regulatory requirements
• Participate in food safety and quality training programs.

• High school diploma or GED required
• 1–3 years of quality assurance experience in food manufacturing preferred
• RTE food manufacturing experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, allergen controls, and food safety systems
• Experience with SQF, BRC, USDA, or FDA regulations preferred

• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently on the production floor
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills
• Good communication and escalation skills
• Basic math and measurement skills
• Ability to interpret specifications and SOPs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and quality documentation systems

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to work in refrigerated and production environments
• Ability to lift up to 25–35 lbs
• Ability to wear required PPE including hairnets, beard nets, gloves, smocks, and safety footwear

• Fast-paced food manufacturing environment
• Exposure to refrigerated, wet, and cold conditions
• Frequent interaction with production, sanitation, warehouse, and maintenance teams
• Must be available for weekends, overtime, and shift flexibility as needed