Quality Technician

Quality Technician | Full time, Direct Hire

Lee Rd. Facility - Rochester, NY

Available Shifts

Night Shift: 6:00 PM - 6:30 AM
$22.42 - $28.32/hr

Day Shift: 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM

$21.42 - $27.32/hr

We are seeking a detail-oriented and quality-focused Quality Technician to join our client's team at their Lee Road North manufacturing facility. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on technical work, problem-solving, and ensuring products meet food safety and quality standards.

About LiDestri Foods

LiDestri Foods has grown from its roots as a pasta sauce and salsa manufacturer into an innovative research and development engine, formulating and producing food products for national and retailer brand partners. A family-run company headquartered in Rochester, NY, LiDestri employs more than 1,000 people across three U.S. locations and maintains longstanding partnerships with respected consumer packaged goods companies and inventive retailer brands.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. They can follow established quality procedures, document findings accurately, identify potential food safety concerns, and communicate effectively across departments. Previous quality control, laboratory, food manufacturing, or related technical experience is preferred; candidates with strong mathematical, computer, and problem-solving skills who are eager to learn are encouraged to apply.

This is a direct-hire opportunity offering competitive pay, professional development, excellent benefits, and the chance to build a long-term career with an established Rochester-area manufacturer.

• Great career-pathing opportunities
• Professional development, including unlimited online training courses
• Health insurance with company premium contributions
• Dental, vision, and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• 100% company-paid life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid vacation, sick time, wellness time, and 10 holidays
• Company bonuses
• And many more!

Compensation and Schedule

• Hourly Pay: $21.42-$27.32, depending on experience and qualifications
• Location: Lee Road North, Rochester, NY
• Employment Type: Full-time, direct hire

Position Summary

The Quality Technician monitors, tests, and verifies the safety and quality of food products throughout manufacturing. Using analytical testing, microbiological procedures, quality systems, and established inspections, this role helps ensure compliance with customer specifications, company standards, and applicable food safety regulations. The technician identifies quality concerns, maintains accurate records, and collaborates with production and other departments to resolve issues promptly.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform required inspections of products, batches, raw materials, packaging, and finished goods.
• Conduct analytical testing on products, ingredients, water, packaging materials, and other manufacturing components.
• Perform microbiological testing, including ATP swabs, culture swabs, plating, BacT/Alert 3D, and 3M film plating, as required by the facility.
• Monitor thermal process controls, including pasteurizer temperatures and packaging sterilization.
• Verify product codes, chart recorders, and other required production monitoring information.
• Place nonconforming raw materials, packaging, and finished products on hold according to established procedures.
• Use laboratory testing instruments to assess product characteristics and specifications.
• Analyze and interpret statistical process control data to support quality decisions.
• Perform required 24-hour product sensory evaluations in the laboratory.
• Maintain equipment calibration, complete preventive maintenance, and troubleshoot testing equipment as needed.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and food safety and quality procedures.
• Participate in internal inspections, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collect and organize retention and customer samples; maintain the sample storage and retain area.
• Maintain accurate physical and electronic records of inspections, test results, and other required documentation.
• Immediately report quality, food safety, and compliance concerns and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues.
• Keep laboratory work areas and equipment clean, organized, and compliant with required standards.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Quality Experience: Previous quality control experience preferred; food manufacturing or laboratory experience is valuable.
• Technical Skills: Ability to perform or learn established analytical and microbiological testing procedures.
• Laboratory Equipment: Ability to use or learn refractometers, salt titrators, acid titrators, pH meters, color meters, moisture meters, and consistometers.
• Computer and Math Skills: Intermediate computer, communication, mathematical, and reasoning skills; ability to document findings accurately.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to recognize inconsistencies, interpret results, and follow detailed procedures.
• Independent Work and Teamwork: Self-motivated, able to work independently, and comfortable collaborating with production and quality teams.
• PPE: Ability to wear a bump cap, hairnet, earplugs, beard net if applicable, Kevlar gloves, safety glasses, and leather slip-resistant work shoes or boots.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This role operates in a manufacturing environment and may involve:

• Prolonged standing, walking, and moving near mechanical parts and conveyors.
• Loud industrial noise and hot, cold, wet, or dry working conditions.
• Lifting and carrying materials weighing less than 50 pounds.
• Frequent reaching, pulling, climbing stairs, stooping, kneeling, and bending.
• Use of required PPE and compliance with all applicable workplace safety and food safety requirements.

Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Datrose is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, status as a parent, age, protected veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, status as a qualified individual with disability, or other non-merit-based factors.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. Datrose does not sponsor employment visas.