Quality Assurance Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician Job Description

The Quality Assurance Technician plays a key role in monitoring, supporting, and ensuring daily compliance with food safety and quality requirements in a food manufacturing environment. This position leads by example in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), collaborates closely with production and warehouse teams, and actively drives continuous improvement in food safety, product quality, and documentation. The role requires a hands-on, detail-oriented professional who is willing to step out of their comfort zone, take on new challenges, and continuously learn.

• Perform regular physical inspections and analytical testing of products and processes to verify compliance with established food safety and quality standards, including checks for color, pH, seal integrity, temperature, date codes, X-ray monitoring, weight, label accuracy, allergens, and cleanliness.
• Document all food safety and quality checks accurately and completely in accordance with company requirements and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure all stakeholders follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), good housekeeping practices, and company policies and procedures throughout the facility.
• Conduct product hold and release activities by thoroughly reviewing and assessing products for food safety and quality, following established hold and release procedures, and providing feedback and guidance on corrective actions when non-conformances are identified.
• Perform pre-operation inspections of line equipment and the processing environment at the start of shifts and during line changeovers, including environmental testing such as ATP and allergen tests.
• Collect retain samples from production lines and perform product evaluations at the end of shelf life to verify ongoing product quality and safety.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment at defined frequencies, maintain accurate calibration records, and ensure equipment is functioning properly.
• Take appropriate actions to correct deviations from food safety or quality standards or promptly notify the Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Manager when issues arise.
• Act as a key monitor for GMP compliance across plant and warehouse areas by performing direct observations of facility and processing conditions, addressing discrepancies with the appropriate departments, and following up on corrective actions.
• Reinforce GMPs during operating hours by coaching and reminding employees, and consistently lead GMP practices by example.
• Perform scheduled GMP inspections in assigned areas and communicate findings and actions taken to address any GMP issues.
• Support preparation for third-party audits, including FDA, USDA, Organic, SQF, and customer audits, by following documented protocols and helping ensure all requirements are met.
• Audit food safety and quality records completed by operators to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with procedures.
• Maintain laboratory and work areas in an organized, clean, and efficient manner to support accurate testing and safe operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal methods, processes, documentation, and knowledge transfer, and make recommendations to the FSQ Manager.
• Demonstrate adaptability by responding appropriately to unexpected changes in production, processes, or priorities.
• Actively seek to develop technical knowledge by learning from peers and available resources, and pursue personal growth and development opportunities.
• Serve as backup for the FSQ Lead and other FSQ team members during their absence, ensuring continuity of food safety and quality oversight.
• Assist with new hire and refresher training on food safety and quality topics, helping to build a strong food safety culture across the organization.
• Participate in mock recalls and mock product withdrawal exercises, supporting traceability and recall readiness.
• Support FSQ Department continuous improvement efforts and follow up on the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Keep the FSQ Manager informed of problems, trends, and opportunities for improvement related to food safety and quality.
• Assist with special in-plant or laboratory projects as assigned, contributing technical support and quality oversight as needed.

• Experience in quality assurance within a food manufacturing or food science-related environment.
• Working knowledge of food safety principles and practices, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Ability to perform physical inspections and analytical testing, including measurements of color, pH, temperature, seal integrity, and weight.
• Ability to conduct and interpret environmental tests such as ATP and allergen testing.
• Proficiency in documenting food safety and quality checks accurately and legibly.
• Ability to perform equipment calibration and maintain calibration records for laboratory instruments.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify deviations from standards and initiate corrective actions.
• Capability to audit records and verify compliance with documented protocols and procedures.
• Effective communication skills to provide feedback, reinforce GMPs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as part of routine tasks.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks with hands and arms.
• Ability to use laboratory equipment and instruments safely and effectively.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds and to stand for long periods of time.
• Close visual acuity to view computer terminals, analyze reports, manage data, and perform detailed inspections.

• Background in food science, food technology, or a related discipline is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with regulatory and third-party audit requirements such as FDA, USDA, Organic, and SQF.
• Experience supporting or participating in third-party and customer audits.
• Experience conducting GMP inspections and observations in production or warehouse environments.
• Exposure to mock recalls, product withdrawals, and traceability exercises.
• Experience training or mentoring others on food safety and quality topics.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while remaining an effective team player in a collaborative environment.
• Strong initiative and drive, with a focus on continuous improvement and professional development.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and production demands.

This role is based in a food manufacturing facility and laboratory environment. The position typically follows a swing shift schedule from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility required to support weekend or Saturday work depending on production needs. Work conditions vary based on project and production requirements, and flexibility in hours is critical. Temperatures in processing departments range from approximately 5&degree;F to 90&degree;F, requiring comfort working in both cold and warm environments. The plant includes exposure to potentially dangerous machinery and equipment, as well as potential electrical, mechanical, and chemical hazards. The noise level is high and constant, and floors may be damp and slick, requiring consistent attention to safety practices and proper footwear. The role involves frequent standing, walking, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, smelling, listening, speaking, and seeing to perform essential duties, along with extended periods of standing and repetitive hand and arm movements. Work also includes regular use of computers and laboratory equipment, requiring close visual acuity to review data, analyze reports, and perform detailed inspections. The organization values tenure, loyalty, and teamwork, celebrates team successes and goals, and fosters a collaborative culture where driven individuals can work independently and receive strong support from their colleagues and leadership. Flexibility in scheduling is supported when needed, and there is a strong emphasis on promoting from within, as well as providing opportunities for education, training, and certifications to support employee growth and development.

This is a Contract position based out of Union City, CA.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $32.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Union City,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.