Lead Quality Control Technician

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

Position Summary

The Lead Quality Control Technician serves as the primary floor leader for the Quality Control team and is responsible for training, coaching, and developing QC Technicians while ensuring all quality and food safety standards are executed on the production floor. This role provides daily direction to QC staff, ensures adherence to GMPs, HACCP, and customer requirements, and acts as the first point of contact for quality-related issues during production.

Schedule: Monday - Friday (10am - 6pm) - Must have flexibility for business needs

Hourly: $24

Key Responsibilities

Floor Leadership

• Ensure QC presence and support on the production floor for all scheduled runs.

• Escalate food safety or quality risks immediately to QA Manager.
• Lead by example in GMP adherence, food safety practices, and professionalism.

Training & Development

• Training of all new QC Technicians.
• Train technicians on GMPs, HACCP, allergen controls, foreign material prevention, and quality inspection procedures.
• Support cross-training to ensure full coverage across shifts and responsibilities.

Quality & Food Safety Execution

• Perform and verify in-process quality checks including weight, appearance, labeling, packaging, and finished product attributes.
• Verify CCP monitoring and documentation including metal detection, oven temperatures, and other critical controls.
• Conduct line checks, start-up inspections, and changeover verifications.
• Support foreign material investigations and documentation.
• Assist with environmental monitoring and sampling as needed.

Documentation & Reporting

• Review QC documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Ensure timely communication of quality issues, deviations, or out-of-spec conditions.
• Support preparation and organization of records for audits and inspections.
• Assist QA leadership with trend tracking, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in food manufacturing quality or QC role.
• Prior experience training or leading team members strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, allergen controls, and food safety standards.
• Experience with SQF, BRC, or GFSI audit environments preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment and make real-time decisions.
• Proficient in basic computer systems and quality documentation.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Production floor and food manufacturing environment.
• Frequent walking, standing, and interaction with production lines.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and follow all GMP and safety requirements.
• Flexible schedule as needed to support production and training across shifts.

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne's Fine Desserts, Kenny's Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, MN, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.