Quality Assurance Technician

Conducts visual and analytical procedures to ensure the integrity of raw materials, works in process, finished goods, and the associated production processes to ensure a safe, high-quality product. Documents inspection results to ensure compliance with document control and record-keeping is attained. Prepares quality reports for internal and third-party audit reviews. Reviews record to ensure requirements and company standards are being met. Troubleshoots issues to ensure the final product or process meets the company standards. Places product on hold when specifications are not met. Take immediate action when a product has been identified as high risk of possible contamination. Makes decisions impacting food safety and product quality ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction. Enforces standards for operation in compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. Participates in GMP monthly audits[OM1] .

Will assure that production is producing product within specification and notify QA Supervisor and Production when specifications are not met. Will follow metal detector and magnet procedure, and CCP requirements based on the HACCP system, in order to reduce the risk of physical, chemical, or biological contamination of the product. Monitoring or verification of Critical Control Points and/or Critical Quality Control Points. Will follow and enforce GMPs and sanitation procedures in order to reduce the risk of contamination of products during inspection and manufacturing. Verifies in the manufacturing, warehouse, and building areas the compliance to food safety fundamentals or prerequisite programs Participates in the investigations of customer complaints and verifies corrective actions to quality and food safety issues. Act with urgency, diligence, and detail related to the enforcement of food safety and quality practices, identifies potential quality and food safety issues, and escalates the issue to management when necessary. Provides feedback and updates to standard operating procedures as needed, and analyzes data to make recommendations for improvements to the quality system. Act responsibly, safely, and as a model of company policies and procedures.

• Complies and enforces Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Audit individuals for compliance to GMPs by inspecting their person and documenting and escalating such findings.
• Reinforce GMP conditions in areas through inspection/auditing of process and addressing failures directly with involved personnel including stopping said production and placing machine or area on QA HOLD.
• Act with urgency, diligence, and detail related to the enforcement of food safety and quality practices.
• Stop any food safety or quality failures urgently the moment they happen, including placing the product on HOLD and stopping production when necessary. Report such incidents to designated leadership immediately and escalate, as necessary[OM2] .

• Troubleshoot laboratory measuring equipment to assure the accuracy of results.
• Provide suggestions to production staff making products on ways to correct or improve results and meet specifications.

• Identify conditions that impact food safety and product quality ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction and communicate them to their supervisor and to production.
• Reject all non-conforming products regardless of the financial impact
• Provides viable process and direction on product which can be re-worked and salvaged
• Deem product unusable and destined for destruction which carries financial impact to the company
• Stop production and place product/ Machines/ Areas on QA HOLD/ Rejection which carries a financial impact on the company.
• Frequent decision making that has direct impact consumer safety
• Requires and uses good judgment and critical thinking to make food safety and food quality decisions with financial impact.
• Influence across the areas in the organization the importance of food safety and quality
• Manages multiple tasks at a time in a fast-paced environment

High School graduate or equivalent Required

Bilingual (English/ Spanish) Preferred

Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, and Food Safety Preferred

Must be able to lift 50 lbs. bags or boxes

Must be able to go up and down on ladders/stairs

Must be able to walk a large part of the shift

Critical thinking and decision-making skills are a must

Time management and Organization skills are a must

Ability to interpret results and data and give direction based on said results

Able to troubleshoot issues and provide solutions and alternatives without compromising Quality and Food Safety

Can train, coach and teach peers and co-workers related task as needed

Can perform quality system audits and make final release decisions

Good mathematical skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Must be able to work in small areas like the laboratory

Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word

Self-learner and ability to multi-task

Can work in a fast-paced atmosphere with frequent changes

High level of Adaptability

Enjoys a hands-on work environment

Must be willing and flexible to be cross trained in other job functions

Effective communicator/ Team player