Quality Control Technician (SE)

Quality Control Technologist

At Hns Kissle, we strive to deliver the simple goodness of home in every bite. Founded in 1984, Hns Kissle began as the regional commissary for a small, high-end grocery chain in New England, MA, crafting fresh, upscale prepared foods and deli salads. Nearly 40 years later, we're still in the kitchen in our 112,000 square foot facility, cooking up delicious foods with an uncompromising commitment to quality and service but now on a national level.

Purpose: The QC Technologist performs quality inspections and audits to ensure product compliance to performance expectations and customer specifications. The QC Tech manages all assigned quality assurance activities that support and maintain company quality standards, programs, processes, procedures and all applicable regulatory food safety guidelines.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assuring Food Safety: HACCP, SQF Code for Manufacturing, SOPs, SSOPs, GMPs, Labeling Requirements, Pest Control, Allergen Management, Technical Release, Incoming Goods Inspection, and company food safety and quality related standards.
• Fulfill core responsibilities as outlined in the QA Skills Matrix
• Be Technical Support to Line Leads and Supervisors by helping complete the daily paperwork accurately
• Conduct Daily Pre-Op inspections and ensure that all GMPs/SSOPs/PRPs are adequate
• Inspect Operations, Chemical Storages, Dry Ingredient Storage, Warehouse (Shipping/Receiving) during shifts for deficiencies
• Write Daily Operational SSOP reports to reflect factory conditions of Sanitation, GMPs and Food Defense
• Help with Receiving of all incoming materials per the receiving procedure. Routinely ensure that Receiving Personnel uses dock lights and black light to inspect load, takes weights of the pallets, complete paperwork and properly store materials according to Stock Recovery or FIFO/FEFO (First-In First-Out)
• Support appropriate zoning pattern, product traffic, and allergen control
• Ensure that all materials (partial ingredients, totes, barrels, tubs, crates, inedible containers, spray bottles, WIP, etc) are properly identified within processing areas
• Perform Process Control checks at a minimum twice per shift.
• Be knowledgeable on how to pull and pack product samples and coordinate analysis with approved Labs on ingredients, environmental sampling, and finished products
• Be familiar with QC testing and equipment instruments such as thermometers, scales, pH meters, hydrometers, etc.
• Master the basic understanding of HACCP, Sanitation, Chemicals, Factory Master SSOP, Safety, and SDS

Job Description:

• Randomly monitor spice room, kitchen activities, salad production, and proper ingredient usage. Assure that all forms are completed and accurately on time before returning to the Food Safety Regulatory Coordinator for HACCP release
• Evaluate and ensure ingredients expiration dates to be used within supplier's shelf-life
• Ensure that FIFO is used every time in every department
• Hold outdated ingredients and questionable products by following the Hold Release program
• Monitor the adequacy of the HACCP plans. Conduct the Verification and Direct Observation of the CCP(s)
• Calibrate and ensure the working conditions of all HACCP monitoring devices such as metal detectors, x-ray equipment, and thermometers as well as the proper packaging, labeling and date coding of finished goods
• Ensure necessary change-over and proper cleaning and sanitizing of equipment after maintenance work is performed
• Conduct monthly PRP audits, and participate in internal audit program as assigned
• Participate in sensory evaluations of raw material, WIP, and finished products to evaluate compliance to Essential Quality Attributes (EQA)
• Conduct employee locker inspections as well as all locked cabinets in the facility for possible nonconforming materials
• Train a backup on all responsibilities
• Other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements:

1 to 3 years of experience Quality Assurance, Food Safety or Associates Degree in related discipline.

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in food manufacturing
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written). Bilingual would be a plus.
• Computer proficient in Microsoft office
• Experience in FDA food codes and regulations
• Knowledge of GMP's, SSOP's FSIS and HCCAP requirements desirable. Certifications would be a plus.
• Good judgement and proper execution of all duties is essential. Poor judgment or non-execution of duties could result in food safety or inferior quality product reaching consumers, regulatory violations and/or loss of business.
• Ability to work independently and with the team collaborating on daily activities.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear most of the day.
• Must be able to work in cold environments and on concrete floors.
• Exposure to occupational noise.
• Repetitive bending/twisting of body.
• Must be able to lift and move heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) and stand for extended periods.
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Exposure to high temperature water.
• Basic understanding of safety regulations and protocols.

Hans Kissle takes pride in its people and product. We strongly believe in our philosophy to uphold the highest level of integrity in everything we do. Each employee is expected to understand and act appropriately per our philosophy and policies. This job description reflects essential functions assigned by management which are subject to change at any time.