Quality Technician

JOB TITLE: Quality Technician

DEPARTMENT: Quality Assurance

REPORTS TO: Quality Supervisor

LOCATION: Cranston, RI

HOURS / SHIFT: 1st Shift: 7:00am-3:30pm

Are you a technical professional that also happens to love coffee & tea? At Finlays we are the biggest name behind the biggest names in coffee and tea. As a leading global supplier of coffee and tea extracts ingredients we support our customers by partnering with them to create natural beverages consumers crave. Our team is passionate about the food and beverage industry and the products we offer, and we are looking for likeminded individuals to join us. Are you ready to be a part of the future of natural beverages?

DESCRIPTION:

To provide support to the Operations and Quality Assurance Departments and provide guidance on all quality and food safety matters within the shift. Inspect all areas of facility and grounds to ensure constant compliance with GMP's, SSOP, SQF and HACCP Procedures. Maintain databases and other documentation required for product quality. Performs daily, weekly, and monthly laboratory testing in support of the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Plan. Responsible for general lab duties, preparing reports, and attending meetings. Professional interaction with customers visiting the lab and on the phone. Ensure all activities are handled in accordance with Finlay's mission, business philosophy, ethics, and goals.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Operates laboratory equipment, such as analytical balances, pH meters, brix meters, water activity meters, and ATP meters, including the necessary daily & weekly calibrations.
• Test batches and required raw materials against standards before packaging. May conduct microbiological testing.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis for finished goods and email, fax, or ship as needed.
• Provide technical support for New Product Introductions, set-up, final summary, and conducting first article inspections.
• Shut down production lines (when problems arise), place product on hold, assist in determining root cause of problem, and assist in determining disposition of product.
• Respond to all non-conformances and apply corrective actions and implement preventative measures. Release product in ERP from hold.
• Cover the phones in the QC department. File all necessary paperwork.
• Maintain finished product retain collection.
• Assist with or lead special projects as needed. Participate on teams related to quality issues.
• Communicate effectively with production personnel on testing results and quality issues.
• Effectively communicate Food Safety and Quality issues to the Quality Assurance Supervisor or Manager.
• Updates Quality Assurance manuals, records, databases as needed including trending.
• Cover for other Quality Assurance Technician on days off.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

ACCOUNTABILITY - QUALITY STATEMENT:

• Responsible for consistently maintaining safe quality food products by following good manufacturing practices, allergen controls, food defence, HACCP, SQF, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensuring visitors, contractors and customers are documented on each visit in and out of the facility to maintain good manufacturing practices, allergen controls, food defence/food security and HACCP controls.
• Responsible for immediately reporting all food safety and quality issues to management.
• Responsible for partnering with others, sharing knowledge, skills, and information within assigned team and across functional areas.
• Ensuring all safe work practices are adhered to.
• Exhibit an understanding of quality standards and the ability to speak to Finlays quality systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be assertive; ability to shut down production lines, work out problems with production employees and managers, make quick decisions with regard to quality, and cooperate with other departments in finding better ways to do things.
• Need ability to taste differences in products; good sense of smell and taste; good judge of color variations.
• Must be able to juggle several tasks at once and successfully complete within a reasonable period of time. Must be able to work on projects from start to finish with little direction.
• Must be a self-starter; able to prioritize work assignments and keep busy at all times. Organizational skills a must.
• Ability to professionally interact with customers on the phone.
• Ability to occasionally travel to continuing education workshops/conferences.
• Willingness to participate on problem solving teams.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Associates Degree or Lab Certification preferred - concentration in Math/Science Field, Food Science or Biological Sciences.
• Intermediate computer skills: must be able to type reports, run database or similar software, compose letters, etc.
• Basic skills in statistics.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work Environment: Laboratory and food manufacturing plant environment. Exposure to chemicals, reagents, and laboratory equipment. Must adhere to GLP, GMP, and food safety protocols including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Physical Requirements: Standing and walking for extended periods. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Manual dexterity for handling laboratory instruments and equipment. Visual acuity for reading instruments, gauges, and data.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Finlays Solutions is an equal employment opportunity employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Finlays Solutions employs individuals that are 18 years of age or older.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

First shift 7:00am-3:30pm