QA Technician, 3rd Shift Sun - Thu 6:30 PM - 3:00 AM

Quality Assurance Technician

Location: Chicago

Reports to: QA Manager

Type: Full-Time, Individual Contributor

Shift: 3rd Sun - Thu 6:30 PM - 3:00 AM

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 + $1.50 shift differential

Position Overview

As a Quality Assurance Technician you'll play a key role in ensuring our food products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. This hands-on position involves inspections, testing, and documentation throughout the production process, with full exposure to plant operations and close collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

1. Quality & Food Safety Oversight

· Conduct pre-operational, operational, and sanitation inspections.

· Verify compliance with GMPs and USDA standards.

· Monitor HACCP critical control points and take corrective action as needed.

· Perform quality and food safety tests (physical, chemical, microbiological).

· Calibrate and verify testing equipment (e.g., thermometers, scales).

2. Sampling, Audits & Documentation

• Execute pre-startup checks for new products, labels, or packaging.
• Collect samples and maintain retention protocols.
• Manage the hold-and-release program and communicate product holds.
• Participate in internal, customer, and third-party audits.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and organized records.
• Transfer paper records to digital systems and manage databases.

3. Cross Department Collaboration

• Review documentation across production to ensure accuracy.
• Communicate out-of-spec results or findings to management clearly.
• Attend daily production meetings; support other QA staff as needed.
• Submit work orders and collaborate with maintenance when required.
• Support regulatory compliance officers during inspections or inquiries.

4. Administrative Support

• Perform general clerical tasks (e.g., filing, data entry, document revisions).
• Record and archive all QA documentation in accordance with policies.

Physical Requirements

• Comfortable working in cold, wet environments for extended periods.
• Ability to lift at least 5 lbs. and push/pull equipment or materials.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in food, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods.

Preferred

• Experience working with USDA or other regulatory bodies.
• Strong knowledge of food safety systems (GMP, HACCP, SQF).
• Analytical mindset with root cause analysis skills.
• Bilingual communication is a plus.
• Effective in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and accountable.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have at least 2 years of quality assurance experience in a food, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods environment?
• Have you worked in a USDA-regulated facility?
• Have you ever conducted or supported pre-operational or sanitation inspections?
• Are you comfortable using thermometers, scales, and performing equipment calibrations?
• Are you comfortable using digital systems to manage QA data (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, QA software)?
• Have you performed root cause analysis or written corrective action reports?
• Are you able to work nights 5-6 times a week?

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)
• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Chicago, IL 60632 (Required)

Work Location: In person