QA Technician

Quality Assurance Technician

At Danone, manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Quality Assurance Technician based in our Chatsworth, California manufacturing plant! In this role, you will be responsible for monitoring, testing, recording, and reacting to data pertaining to products/production processes/quality systems to ensure the highest standards of quality and food safety are met or exceeded and that products produced are in compliance with federal, state, and company specifications. You must be capable of producing accurate results, while multi-tasking in a fast-paced work environment. You will be expected to anticipate problems/conflicts, problem-solve, and react accordingly, and maintain a proactive approach to all work tasks and any issues as they arise.

The Quality Technician must be cross-trained on all Quality Laboratory functions and must maintain a thorough knowledge of laboratory equipment including operation, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. The Quality Technician must interpret, understand, support, and have a working knowledge of Plant/Corporate protocols and programs, as well as facility systems, including informational/operational/management systems. The successful individual will also actively support new system installations and implementations and seek to continually maintain reliability. Participate in verification activities in prerequisite programs such as Water and Air Quality, Foreign Material Control, Calibration, Allergen Management, Environmental Monitoring, Printed Packaging and Product Integrity, Cleaning and Sanitation, Non-Conforming Reporting, Non-Conforming Product Ingredient and Equipment. Participate in Analytical Performance Proficiency Testing. The successful individual implements continuous improvements within all systems and seeks to minimize waste and loss. The Quality Technician will assist/train/coach employees within all levels of the organization in regard to quality and food safety related topics.

The base compensation for this position is $31.50 per hour and is eligible for overtime. This is a unionized role based on site and the work schedule is as follows (subject to availability):

• Shift (Days): 11:00 pm – 7:30 am (Monday – Friday with occasional Saturday)
• Shift (Afternoon): 5:00 am – 1:30 pm (Monday – Friday with occasional Saturday)

In this role, you will be responsible for the following:

• Work safely, as well as report and assist in mitigating all safety concerns
• Comprehend and support plant/corporate protocols and programs, as well as facility systems, including informational/operational/management systems such as Redzone, SAP, Tekdan/Themis.
• Communicate effectively with other departments, management, and employees including notifying appropriate teams when problems and/or concerns arise
• Work independently or within a team, with and without supervision
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task to ensure that all job functions are completed accurately in a timely manner
• Facilitate, attend, and participate in team meetings and programs
• Perform analytical, chemical, microbiological, and allergenic analysis both routine and episodic
• Provide oversight for facility systems and actively participate and support the development, implementation, day to day operation, and maintenance of checks and balance programs such as coding checks, OQI (operator quality inspection) review, batch ownership including batch correction, and filler inspections.
• Ensure all paperwork is filled out in a clear, legible, and accurate format and completed with all required information
• Anticipate problems/conflicts, problem-solve, and react
• React to data, perform out-of-specification mitigation
• Properly manage product inventory utilizing programs such as SAP and Redzone
• Monitor, operate, maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instruments and equipment without assistance
• Attend and practice all required training
• Utilize root cause analysis thought process, maintain a proactive approach, and support sustainable solutions
• Utilizing continuous improvement mindset, actively participate in identifying and correcting opportunities to improve processes including participation in the creation and documentation of Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions, the creation and maintenance of preventative maintenance standards, the writing of One Point Lessons, and participation in continuous improvement methodology events
• Follow Danone Standards, Good Manufacturing Practices and 5S methodology to maintain a clean, sanitary, and safe work area, maintaining audit ready status at all times
• Actively participate in all department and plant activities (i.e., Quality, Food Safety, Focused Improvement, Safety, etc.) including but not limited to audits, observations, inspections, documentation, and recommendations. Prerequisite programs such as, Foreign Material Control, Calibration, Allergen Management, Environmental Monitoring, Printed Packaging and Product Integrity, Cleaning and Sanitation, Non-Conforming Reporting, Non-Conforming Product Ingredient and Equipment.
• Maintain knowledge and skills of Quality department tasks such as product testing and environmental swabbing, sampling, testing, documentation, documentation review, investigations, investigation findings, follow-up
• Support plant production needs and priorities to achieve plant goals
• Assist, train, and coach employees.
• Comply with all regulations, policies, and procedures
• All other duties as assigned or become evident

Danone North America is an equal employment and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other unlawful criterion.

Materials and Equipment Directly Used:

• Various Laboratory instruments and equipment to include manual and electronic devices; subject to change with business.
• Office machinery including: computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.
• Software including: Microsoft Office including Outlook

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. The employee will lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Specific hearing requirements include ability to hear and perceive information at normal spoken volume levels. Work is performed throughout the facility and includes limited exposure to adverse conditions such as cold/hot areas and loud noise. Potential hazards include, but are not limited to, proximity of moving machinery, chemical exposure, noise, or heavy lifting. The position may require an individual to stand, stoop, move equipment; bend, reach, or lift for prolonged periods of time. PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, sanitary footwear, and any other devices prescribed for specific testing or routines.

Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. (**For worker level roles: Review for applicability for each site**).

This section identifies the minimum job specifications required to perform the job.

A. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong teamwork skills
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to manage high pressure situations calmly
• Ability to learn all functions of job within a reasonable amount of time
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Proven decision-making ability
• Ability to read, understand, and follow written instructions
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Proficiency in basic laboratory equipment (i.e. pipets, pH meters, balances)
• Ability to perform troubleshooting tasks
• Proficiency in MS Office and basic PC skills
• Ability to work various hours and shifts
• California Food Handler Certification
• Able to work overtime when required

B. Education and Experience (Required)

• Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Bio-Technology, Food Science, or comparable program. (Or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Achieve and maintain required certifications and training