Quality Food Safety Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Open Gates Group is a family of food companies located near Kalona, Iowa, united by a mission to support our employees, strengthen local communities, and champion sustainable farming. What began as a small creamery has grown into a network of 11 food-focused businesses that work together to source, produce, sell, and transport high-quality Midwestern products to more than 3,500 stores nationwide.

Our Organic Milk comes from grass-fed cows raised on small, family-owned farms that are committed to sustainability. We keep things simple and natural—low-temp pasteurization (never ultra-pasteurized), non-homogenized, with a rich cream top you can taste. Many of our farms are also “Verified Regenerative” through Land to Market, meaning their grazing practices actually improve the health of the land. We’re currently looking for a hands-on Quality Food Safety Technician to join our team.

Summary

The Quality Food Safety Technician , reporting to the Quality Manager, is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the organization’s quality standards. This role involves working closely with the OG Production teams to ensure compliance with quality requirements, identify areas for improvement, and support continuous quality enhancements. The Quality Technician will play an integral part in maintaining high-quality standards, conducting inspections, and helping to ensure that food products meet both internal and external quality specifications.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining and developing internal processes and procedures to support company-wide quality assurance and food safety programs.
• Regularly inspect for compliance with Company, Federal, and State regulations.
• Assist the Quality Manager with special projects for implementing quality initiatives.
• Assist the Quality and Production teams by managing the paperwork related to quality food safety audits, inspections, and new projects/products.
• Obtain Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification within the first 60 days to assist with managing, organizing, and signing off on production paperwork.
• Obtain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification within the first 60 days to assist with writing and implementing HACCP plans, SOPs/SSOPs, Policies, and Programs for the Quality Department.
• Obtain Internal Audit certification within the first 90 days to assist with conducting food safety and analysis.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Open Gates' businesses, products, and services.
• Perform bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests on raw and finished goods to meet quality compliance.
• Conduct product sampling at various points through the supply chain.
• Troubleshoot quality issues with Production and Quality personnel.
• Recommend changes or improvements to the laboratory procedures, plant inspections, process control, or cleaning and sanitizing programs.
• Enforce quality standards, GMPs, SOPs, and food safety plans.
• Aid in plant training requirements and training frequencies.
• Keep the Quality Manager informed of all quality results and issues.
• Work cross-functionally with leadership teams to determine product and production issue dispositions.
• Assist the Quality Manager in maintaining the Open Gates Safe Quality Food (SQF) program.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• HS diploma or equivalent is required. Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• 3-5 years QA/QC background in a dairy/food lab or equivalent preferred.
• Service-oriented and able to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• Demonstrated follow-through skills and the ability to manage projects.
• Detail-oriented with efficient & accurate data entry skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Open to change, innovation, and process improvements.
• Team-oriented with a focus on working in a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to adhere to the Open Gates Guiding Principles and continually embrace personal and professional development.
• Able to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• Knowledge of sanitation procedures and product quality parameters.

Our Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, STD & LTD, and matching 401k after 60 days.
• Benefit Bonus/Stipend
• Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO), & Birthday PTO
• Opportunity for advancement!
• Discounted employee purchases!
• Unique, entrepreneurial culture!