Quality Control Technician

Founded in 2013, Home Chef is the leading meal solutions company with both a retail and online presence. Available online at homechef.com and in retail at more than 2,100 Kroger grocery stores, Home Chef is committed to inspiring and enabling more people to cook simple, delicious meals, no matter how busy they are.

In 2023, Home Chef introduced a new brand, Tempo! Tempo features a rotating selection of ready-to-heat meals delivered directly to your door. These meals are better-for-you versions of familiar favorites, designed to save you time and reduce stress while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our Tempo menu includes options that are protein-packed, fiber-rich, calorie and carb conscious, keto-friendly, and dietitian-approved.

Similar to our recipes, we recognize that variety is the spice of life, and therefore, our employees also bring their uniqueness and color to our fantastic team. We’re eager to work with humble team players and pragmatic next-level thinkers to innovate on Home Chef’s offerings.

This role follows a 1st shift schedule, working from 6:15 AM to 2:45 PM, with designated days off on Monday and Tuesday.

Ensures the accuracy and quality of all product labeled, portioned, meal bagged, and shipped from Home Chef by working alongside production to conduct on-the-line checks of product against recipe specifications and quality standards.

Detailed Responsibilities

Core QC Functions

A QC Tech demonstrates mastery of all core QC responsibilities, specifically:

Labeling

• Performs visual inspection during labeling process (including bottles, jars, bags) for proper placement of label, correct name of product and/or ingredient per Q.A. sheets 

Portioning

• Issues correct QC samples to production team leads/production associates prior to production, utilizing QA sheets to ensure correct portion amount for the specific ingredient being portioned
• Issues the proper measuring equipment (i.e. scales, measuring spoons, measuring cups, spatulas, pumps)
• Reinforces training for production team leads and associates on proper measurement using the equipment
• Confirms the portioned amount with production team leads for each portioned ingredient prior to starting production (based on QA sheets)
• Performs final verification of portioning and sign-off on portioning line prior to starting production
• Conducts hourly visual inspections of portioned ingredients for accuracy 

Meal Bagging

• Utilizes production sheets to verify proper meal bag line setup 
  • Verifies that all ingredients required for the meal are present and within shelf life
  • Confirms ingredient amounts with production team leads and associates (particularly for ingredients that require multiples)
  • Sign-offs on production sheets
• Conducts hourly visual or physical inspections to ensure meal bag accuracy (by unpacking completed meal bag)
• Maintains continuous watch over meal bagging line and helps to close bags at the end of the line
• Performs random meal bag inspections to ensure produce quality and double check ingredient quantities on days when shipping lines are operational

Shipping Line

• All Lines
  • Verifies set up of line (meat, meal bags, recipe cards, box call outs) using boxing call out sheet prior to start of shipping
  • Communicates back to production team when errors are identified on the line
  • Visually inspects meat for quality (e.g. freezer burn, discoloration, broken seals) when serving in the role of protein QA 
  • Understands and can conduct sanitation process for proteins that have fallen on the floor or have been otherwise exposed to potential sources of cross-contamination 
• Similar Line:
  • Verifies the setup of the line prior to each run, ensuring correct product is present, and initials similar sign off sheet with start time 
  • Ensure correct pick quantity (e.g. 4 serving run) has been communicated to the production associates working on the line
• Unique & Hybrid Lines:
  • Confirms correct proteins, meal bags, box call outs, recipe cards, and ice quantity have been placed in each box utilizing the pick ticket 

Receiving/Outbound Transfers 

• Completes and properly documents QC inspections of all inbound/outbound ingredients
• Escalates issues to FSQA Supervisor/FSQA leadership of any issues regarding quality or food safety

Other Responsibilities

Final Box Verification

• Removes boxes systematically from each line and completes the final box verification form
• Documenting issues identified in the box as well which shipping line it was packed on 
• Provides feedback to production supervisor and or team lead running the shipping line when issues are identified 
• Corrects issues identified in boxes checked and ensures box is placed on pallet for shipping

Post-op Clean up

• Collects all utensils (scales, dishers, measuring cups, measuring spoons, etc.) from sanitation after they have been cleaned and sanitized and places them in designated spots within the QA lab for the next shift
• Places QA sheet / clipboard / tablet in designated storage area

Equipment Setup and Maintenance

• Sets up portion fillers with ingredients requested 
• Verifies Scales used in portioning 

Issue Escalation

• Promptly notifies FSQA Supervisor and/or FSQA Leadership when quality issues arise such as produce quality, portioning quantity, or missing ingredients

General Responsibilities

• Follow the facility GMP’s and help enforce them throughout the facility
• Support the efforts of the company to maintain our food safety system (SQF) and quality programs

Attitude and Attendance

• Arrives to work at scheduled time and follows time off request procedure
• Communicates with co-workers in a professional manner
• Treats co-workers with respect at all times
• Uses teamwork with working with production throughout the day

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Previous experience working in food quality is preferred

More About Us

Perks and Benefits

• Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order!
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
• Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
• 401k program
• Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses

How We Work Together

We are humble team players.
We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.

We are pragmatic next-level thinkers.
We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.

We take ownership.
We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

Be at Home at Home Chef

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you’ll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.

We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Home Chef will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People team at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Home Chef offers the base salary range as posted below, with the exact offer depending on factors such as geographic location, experience, skills, and internal equity. While compensation is within the provided range, it is not typical for offers to be made at the upper end. In addition to base salary, Home Chef provides a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, 401k match, and paid time off.

Illinois Pay Range $18.75—$18.75 USD

To view the California Applicant Noticeclick here