Quality Assurance Technician - 1st Shift

Quality Assurance Technician

Lassonde Pappas & Co. (formerly Old Orchard Brands) is a US leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers, and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee's total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

Position Summary

The QA Technician performs the day-to-day monitoring, testing, and documentation to assure that all processes and practices comply with SQF standards for Food Safety and Quality, federal and state regulations, customer requirements, and company directives in food production. This role reports to the QA Supervisor and is based out of our Sparta, Michigan location.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Maintains lab supplies inventory and laboratory cleaning
• Perform and record analytical testing of finished product
• Enter results into WINSPC
• Maintain Record Etiquette
• Perform line audits to ensure finished product meets specification
• Place Non-Conforming product and ingredients on hold
• Ensure all PCs, CQPs, and CCPs are being adhered to
• Complete Pre-Start inspections and release area/line to production
• Maintain Finished Product Retain area
• Assist batchers and filler operators with any analytical tests needed to support production
• Perform Tote Inspections and IA duties
• Adhere to all GMPs, GLPs, and housekeeping standards
• Notify supervisor and other personnel of quality and production problems, stopping the production line as necessary, and assist in the identification (e.g., via QA hold program) and correction of these problems
• Prepare concentrate and product development samples for the Quality Assurance Manager and upper management
• Adhere to and promote a culture of food safety and quality by understanding your roles and responsibility in all food safety and quality related tasks
• This role will be required to taste test product as needed, up to a couple ounces per test.
• Perform all assigned task with a Safety/Food Safety mindset
• Perform other duties as required

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• One to two years of lab related experience
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be detailed oriented and can multi-task
• Must have excellent time management skills
• Microsoft Word experience
• Microsoft Excel experience
• Microsoft Outlook

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• GFSI Knowledge
• HACCP (Basic)
• PCQI (Elementary)
• FDA/USDA Experience
• Quality Control/Assurance experience
• Experience in the food/beverage industry
• Previous experience in Manufacturing or production environment
• Ability to direct, coach and train others.
• Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a production setting.

Frequent: Ability to talk and hear; ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, stoop, bend and/or crouch; push/pull; lift up to 50 pounds; use of hands and fingers to operate machinery/equipment and all manual and electronic equipment in area of responsibility. Exposure to wet and humid conditions and fluctuations in ambient temperature (seasonal).

Occasional: Squatting, kneeling, ability to reach above and at shoulder height. Ability to wear a dust mask, and perform Confined Entry using LOTO program. Exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.

Vision: Ability to use close and distance vision, as well as color and peripheral vision with or without correction. Must be able to visually detect obstacles and potential dangers in a fast paced production environment involving high speed equipment and powered industrial lift equipment.

Hearing: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Exposure to noise levels from pumps, machinery, forklift traffic, bottle lines, and exhaust fans.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.