Quality Technician

Quality Technician Location: Kenosha, WI Employee Type: Full time Schedule: 2-2-3 rotating 12‑hour shift Work Location: 6819 77th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53142 Salary: $25.50 per hour Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness. At Winland Foods, quality isn’t just part of the process—it’s who we are. Guided by our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration, our Food Quality Team Members ensure that every product we make is safe, consistent, and worthy of the trust our consumers place in us. As a Food Quality Team Member, you will be on the front line of protecting our standards and reputation. From performing critical inspections to supporting continuous improvement initiatives, you’ll play a hands‑on role in ensuring every product reflects our commitment to excellence. You’ll collaborate closely with production and sanitation teams, using your attention to detail and integrity to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and Winland’s high expectations. Responsibilities Perform daily inspections, environmental swabbing, and product inspections. Verify compliance with established standards. Perform preventive maintenance on quality equipment. Conduct and oversee sensory testing, label verification, and analytical testing to ensure product attributes are correct. Understand and follow plant policies for placing materials on hold and collecting retention samples. Assist with inventory control for approved suppliers following FIFO practices. Help with customer sample requests and microbiological testing for shipping requirements. Communicate quality results to other teams within the plant. Lead facility inspections and assist with a variety of quality checks and audits. Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies. Maintain cleanliness and sanitation. Participate in internal auditing. Assist in leading internal audits. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to resolve quality issues and investigate customer complaints. Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals. Provide backup coverage for multiple roles, share knowledge with peers, and support training. Assist with SOP development and training. Facilitate cross‑departmental collaboration. Manage specialized quality programs and documentation, using technical skills in systems like SAP and other quality management software. Prepare accurate written documentation. Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP. Ensure precision in recording and reporting test results. Support plant trials, process improvements, and cost savings projects. Participate in 5S efforts. Assist in reviewing quality paperwork and document control programs. Work with supervisors and team to develop solutions to issues. Act as 5S champion for area. This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties as management may deem necessary from time to time. Qualifications High School Diploma or GED required; Degree in Biology, Chemistry or Food Science preferred. Minimum 1 year of work experience in manufacturing or food production. Age 18 or older. Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and advise on minor adjustments to formulas or processes. Mechanical aptitude with ability to identify and resolve quality irregularities. Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills. Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures to resolve issues. Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations. Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk up to 90% of shift, and climb as needed. Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement. Strong problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment. Positive attitude, dependable, self‑motivated, and willing to work overtime or weekends as needed. Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a proactive, team‑oriented mindset. Ability to provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members. Personal attributes: accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement. Physical Demands Stand and walk for extended periods of time. Perform frequent climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping. Lift up to 50 lbs. frequently. Good hand‑eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision. Normal hearing and vision (with correction if needed), including ability to distinguish colors for color‑coded containers. Wear all required PPE according to the specific manufacturing environment. Adhere to all safety policies, including lock‑out/tag‑out, safe lifting techniques, and others as instructed. Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations. Maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management. Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Winland Foods