Manufacturing Quality Control Technician

Quality Control Technician

What does it take to create 1.7 BILLION cups of coffee a year? Ask Cascade Coffee! For more than 45 years Cascade Coffee has been the premier specialty coffee contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in roasting, grinding, flavoring, and packaging coffee, catering to the world's finest coffee brands worldwide.

Cascade works behind the scenes to provide innovation, world-class coffee roasting, and a wide variety of packaging options to highlight their loyal customer's brands. Founded in 1977, the company operates from a 175,000 square foot manufacturing and roasting facility, more than 2 million pounds of green coffee storage facility, 50 million pounds annually of coffee roasting capacity as well as multiple roasting lines, flavor mixing systems and 14 automated packaging lines.

Why Cascade? We offer a unique blend of benefits for you and your family!

WAGE RANGE (NON-EXEMPT): $20.00 - $24.00

SCHEDULE: 3rd Shift: Monday - Friday; 10:30 PM - 7:00 AM Weekend Shift: Friday - Sunday; 6:30 am - 7:00 pm (Work 36 hours to receive pay for 40 hours)

REPORTS TO: Quality Control Supervisor

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits | Multiple coverage levels of medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401k Roth or Pre-Tax options | $1 for $1 match and once eligible to enroll, ZERO vesting period
• Long Term Disability and life insurance | Company provides coverage for all
• Voluntary Life, Disability, Accident & Critical Illness | Various insurance programs are offered to support your needs
• Employee Assistance Program | To support you and your family's overall wellbeing to achieve your best and most productive self
• Sick and Vacation plans | Cascade understands the vital importance of a quality work/life balance
• Pet insurance | Multiple coverage levels for whatever best suits your furry (or not so furry) friend
• Cascade Cares | Exciting engagement programs each month
• Leadership Training | We invest in and dedicate time to training some of the best leaders in the industry

Position Summary

The QC Technician is an integral part of the Food Safety and Quality team and will function as an internal and external auditor for the facility based on company requirements. The QC technician interfaces directly with the QC Supervisor on all quality control and compliance issues and assesses compliance with quality standards and initiatives. This requires working closely with the production department.

Essential Responsibilities

• Administer Cascade policies and procedures and carry out personnel objectives and programs within the Quality Assurance department.
• Coordinates with Quality and Production Supervisors on various quality issues.
• Conducts daily plant inspections for any GMP/Product Protection violations.
• Assists production in filling out all necessary QC paperwork.
• Monitor defined checks/tests to ensure product conformance on the customer-established cadence.
• Perform laboratory testing according to customer specifications, including, but not limited to, weight checks, leak tests, and oxygen/headspace tests.
• Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues utilizing quality tools (cause and effect, process mapping, statistical methods, etc.) to document corrective actions effectively.
• Document standards in compliance with good manufacturing practices, government entities, and production plans (e.g., USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, Organic, Kosher, etc.). Ensure compliance with all regulatory mandates.
• Audit production processes and the food Safety and Quality Management system. Record, document, and evaluate consistency to customer and SQF expectations.
• Responsible for collecting customer samples, external laboratory testing, and internal retain samples.
• Upholds and provides safe, high-quality, consistent products, and superior services that anticipate, meet, or exceed the requirements of our customers.
• Collect foreign material findings and record findings in appropriate software.
• Supports Cascade Coffee's Food Safety Culture by adhering to all company policies and procedures and following proper protocol when a Food Safety risk is identified.
• Performs any other duties/tasks that may be assigned as needed.
• Attend all shift huddles (pre- and post- shift).

Education/Experience and Special Requirements

• Minimum 1-year practical industry experience.
• HACCP certified
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SQF Level 2 standards, Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience using Microsoft products (e.g., Office 365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work with lab equipment, such as moisture meters, brewers, grinders, Agtron, Malvern, and Mocon instruments.
• Self-motivation, ability to work independently and within a team environment, strong follow-up, organization, prioritization, and attention to detail are required.
• Ability to work under pressure (in a highly fast-paced environment), meet deadlines (overtime work required), and make effective decisions.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Work Environment

• This position is inside a warehouse roasting facility, where workers are exposed to loud equipment noise, coffee dust, and strong odors.
• Personal protection equipment and other Good Manufacturing Practices are mandatory.
• This position may support work in the facility that requires standing on concrete floors, exposed to equipment noise, and subject to coffee dust odors.

Work Habits

• Regular attendance and promptness are required for this position.
• Work may be required outside the standard workweek.
• This job requires a high degree of teamwork skills.
• This job requires the ability to work independently and make sound decisions.

Cascade coffee is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We celebrate our differences because we believe diversity drives innovation and leads to sustainable success. We recruit, hire and promote our partners based on capability and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.