Quality Assurance Technician

Quality Assurance TechnicianThe Quality Assurance Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring that products meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards.Essential FunctionsConducting Inspections: QA technician performs routine inspections of raw materials, ingredients, and finished products to ensure they meet the required specifications.Testing Samples: They collect and test product samples for quality control purposes, checking factors like taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional content.Monitoring Processes: QA Tech monitor food production processes to ensure compliance with food safety standards (e.g., temperature, cleanliness, and hygiene practices).Documentation: Maintain accurate records of inspections, tests, and production processes, ensuring all data is up-to-date and compliant with regulations.Corrective Actions: If any issues are identified, they work with production teams to implement corrective actions and improve processes to prevent future problems.Internal Audits: QA Tech may conduct internal audits to assess adherence to company standards, ISO certifications, and regulatory requirements.Training Staff: They may assist in training production staff on best practices for food safety and quality standards.Reporting Issues: QA Tech identify any non-compliance or issues and report them to supervisors or management, helping to ensure the production of safe and high-quality food products.Equipment Calibration: Ensuring that equipment used in testing and production is calibrated correctly and functioning within specifications.Safety and Cleanliness: Maintain a clean and safe working area. Following all safety protocols, including proper lifting techniques and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensuring compliance with company policies and OSHA regulationsQualifications (Education/Experience)Experience Requirements:3+ Years of Experience in quality assurance, food safety, or production in the food industry.Experience in performing inspections, conducting tests, and understanding food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMPs) is highly valued.Specific Skills or Certifications (preferred not required):HACCP Certification (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)Experience in BRC certified plant.Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) knowledge.Additional Experience:Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment or quality control instruments is a plus.Experience in data documentation and reporting (using Microsoft Office or specialized software) is important.Key SkillsAttention to Detail: Essential for identifying inconsistencies or deviations in product quality.Communication Skills: For reporting issues and working with production teams.Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify root causes of quality issues and recommend corrective actions.Knowledge of Food Safety Regulations: Understanding of food safety laws and standards, like FDA, USDA, and FSMA.Physical RequirementsThe physical demands described within the Essential Functions section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job. Other duties or tasks may be assigned as required. Management may modify, change, or add to the duties of this description at any time without notice. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:Communicate with others both verbally and in writing.Be independently mobile.Use a computer and keyboard.Regularly sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, bend, for extended periods.Ability to lift/carry 25 to 60 lbs.Exposure to noise levels that require hearing protection.$25 - $27 an hour