Quality Specialist

Quality Specialist (Lab)

We invite members of all diverse communities to join our workforce. At Tillamook, inclusion and diversity are central to our cultural strategy. We strive to build stronger teams by inviting diverse perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds, and cultures into our work to fuel innovation and growth.

What does real food mean to you? Is your favorite dish a cheesy casserole or an indulgent ice cream? Either way, your connection to food matters. You are committed to quality, understand our vision, contribute to our mission, thrive on innovative thinking, hard work, and honest values.

Our team members share our values: we are good stewards, we pursue uncompromising quality, we work as one team, we play to win, and we genuinely care for each other.

The Quality Specialist evaluates dairy products through sight, smell, touch, and taste to conduct sensory analysis for quality control. You also provide administrative support to the sensory and cheese departments, including timesheets, policy maintenance, reports, data analysis, and liaison duties.

• Administers Grading-Program Products
• Accurately analyzes and grades dairy products
• Reports and records daily test and grading results accurately
• Designs and completes problem‑solving research relating to sensory and quality procedures
• Monitors short and long‑term drifts in the quality aspects of dairy products
• Recommends and justifies new testing procedures and equipment as appropriate
• Recommends changes in disposition of product relative to commodity and branded sales
• Assists with and enters month‑end inventories of sensory supplies
• Monitors supplies and materials to meet production needs
• Communicates with operations groups as needed
• Prepares department activity reports, including weekly department quality reports, yields, and support hours
• Provides general administrative support for the Sensory and Cheese Departments
• Maintains SOPs and department policies
• Composes, prepares, and proof‑reads letters and memos
• Communicates information to TCCA staff and departmental employees through different means
• Prepares notices and minutes of meetings
• Answers department telephones
• Creates and produces labels as needed
• Keeps all records on file and organized so that information is accessible for data retrieval at all times
• Communicates effectively and establishes and maintains relationships with employees, supervisors, and the public
• Utilizes a computer with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and ERP systems; knowledge of MS Navision (NAV) and SharePoint is a plus
• Acts as a team player and interacts with staff at all levels of the company
• Works under pressure, meets deadlines, and manages multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrates excellent time‑management skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision

• High school diploma required;
  Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Sensory, or a related field preferred
• 3 years of experience in dairy sensory or a laboratory setting
• Forklift certification

Administration:

• Individual work space, desk, and computer. May not be temperature controlled; could have loud background noises.
• May include entering production facility and walking on uneven, slippery surfaces with forklift traffic.
• Requires sitting majority of shift, with opportunities for standing and walking.
• May require stooping, bending, crouching, and occasional lifting of 25 pounds.

Production:

• Space can be crowded with manufacturing equipment and lift trucks; be aware of noise and dust.
• Requires standing entire shift and walking on uneven, slippery floors, stooping, bending, crouching, and climbing ladders.
• Duties may include repetitive hand motion and lifting up to 55 pounds.

We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page: .

We are committed to creating a diverse culture and inclusive conditions where all employees are heard, valued, and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds, and cultures to inform our work and help us be better as a brand and as an employer. We seek talent from a variety of backgrounds.

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug‑Free Workplace.

EEO

TCCA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability status (including those related to pregnancy and childbirth), protected veteran status, membership/non‑membership in a labor organization, or any other characteristic protected by law.