QA Technician

COMPANY OVERVIEW: Our company is rapidly growing offering potential career growth opportunities.

Dessert Holdings is North America's fastest growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best in class service. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, it is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company and most recently, Dianne's Fine Desserts. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

The company employs approximately 3,000 people across eight manufacturing facilities and its headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. The manufacturing facilities are geographically dispersed, with two facilities in Canada and one each in Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Carolina.

Schedule: A-Shift Monday through Friday (some Saturdays required)

Pay rate: $17.00

QA/QC Technician

Summary of the Position

Perform Quality Assurance functions in the laboratory and in the manufacturing facilities to include analytical tests, evaluations, and quality audits. Monitor and carry out components of the food safety & quality management system from incoming materials to finished products for compliance to specifications &/or policy and to ensure product quality, safety, & legality. Provide technical support with an emphasis on customer expectations, continuous improvement opportunities, and productivity requirements.

Essential Functions

• Perform routine audits throughout the facilities to ensure compliance to food safety & quality programs and policy, GMPs, and sanitation standards. Take action on noncompliant issues &/or notify the appropriate supervisor or manager.
• Perform sampling and microbiological testing of equipment, facilities, utensils, air, water, etc. to audit sanitation practices and monitor environmental conditions as related to relevant microorganisms.
• Prepare reports and aid / recommended corrective actions for deficiencies resulting from sanitation audits and environmental monitoring.
• Collect finished product and raw material samples for evaluation and testing in the QA lab.
• Perform analytical tests, and product evaluations on raw materials and finished products for compliance to specifications and policy.
• Perform sensory evaluation of raw materials and finished product.
• Prepare shipments of samples for microbiological & analytical tests to be performed at an outside laboratory and coordinate shipments to ensure that samples are delivered on time and in good condition.
• Collect production check sheets, reports and documentation – maintain files according to the company record retention program.
• Communicate with other departments within the company on out-of-specification products & materials, foreign material issues, and other matters of noncompliance.
• Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting as needed to support the food safety and quality of our products.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, meetings, committees, seminars, and training events as required.
• Maintain retention samples for finished products

Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year of QA or related experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• HACCP experience a plus.
• Good mathematical, analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to review & interpret data and prepare reports.
• Good communication & interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer skills - Microsoft Office, e-mail.
• Ability to follow written procedures and established test methods.
• Ability to work independently and accept responsibility.

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• Knowledge of the seven steps of sanitation and/or cleaning in food plants.
• Knowledge of the 5S methodology.
• Bi-lingual.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The employee must regularly move up to 100 pounds. May require pushing with assistance or pulling with or without assistance.
• Work positions include walking, standing, climbing, and walking fast during an emergency.
• Must be able to work in hot or cold rooms and rinse equipment using hot or cold water.
• Observation of worker's activities without micromanaging.

COMPENSATION:

We offer the chance to work for a stable and growing company where your contributions and efforts are rewarded. Specifically:

• Competitive salary, depending on educational background, skills and experience level.
• Health insurance plans, inclusive to additional supplemental benefit plans
• Life insurance.
• Vacation, PTO, and Company Observed holidays

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is North America's fastest-growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired, innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best-in-class service. The company is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Kenny's Great Pies, Willamette Valley Pie Company, and Dianne's Fine Desserts. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, employing more than 3,200 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment op