Technician, Quality Assurance VNB

Quality Assurance Technician

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Our state-of-the-art Extended Shelf Life (ESL) and Aseptic Ultra High Temperature (UHT) dairy bottling facility, Valley Natural Beverages, produces premium beverages in various formats, and these shelf-stable products are shipped globally. We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

Our commitment to CDI employees:

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician provides assistance to the Quality Assurance Department with quality audits, swabbing, coli form plating, calibrating, antibiotic testing, microbiological, and other various laboratory functions. The QA Technician will support compliance in the areas of all food safety and food quality programs including: GMP, regulatory, process authority, GFSI, 3rd party auditor, customer required, and company specific. The QA Technician will follow all safety regulations and partner with the production team members to ensure all products meet quality standards.

Essential Functions

• Perform weekly tasks which include environmental swabbing air plates, thermometer and lab equipment calibration, and others.
• Perform noon and midnight inventory and temperature of fluid silos.
• Support monitoring wastewater, pH, EC, and COD.
• Micro plating, antibiotic confirmation testing, and TA testing.
• Daily send outs to Sunrise Labs and Sierra for testing.
• Pull customer samples and re-test samples.
• Clean and maintain clean lab areas.
• Complete all paperwork neatly and correctly.
• Complete all filing of documentation in an accurate and timely manner.
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Follow all Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Follow all Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Responsible for care and maintenance of company tools laboratory equipment.
• Updating quality and procedure manuals, calibrations, wastewater reports, swabbing, and air quality monitoring.
• Take inventory of lab supplies and submit orders.
• Verify product codes meet internal and customer standards.
• Participate in production safety and quality alert routine.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude and contribute towards a quality environment.
• Excellent regular full-time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc. best interests.
• Ensure yours, your team members', and all visitors' safety by actively supporting and following all safety programs as part of a "Zero Accident" commitment.
• Ensure full compliance to all regulatory, customer, and plant quality requirements as part of a "Perfect Quality" commitment.
• " Make it Better ". Constantly look for defects and opportunities for improvement throughout all parts of the plant operation and personally lead necessary efforts to " Make it Better ".
• Bring value to the Team and strengthen the Team through your job performance, treatment of your team members, and effective communication.
• Understand all performance criteria and operating results associated with your area of responsibility and constantly meet or exceed these requirements.
• Maintain Plant areas of responsibility to ensure an inspection and tour ready facility at all times.
• Actively contribute during Daily Shift/Direction Setting Meetings.
• Complete and document CILs (Clean, Inspect, Lube), master sanitation tasks, quality checks, PMs (preventative maintenance tasks), and perform required maintenance on your equipment.
• Understand sources of waste and actively strive for "Zero Waste".
• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. "Food Safety and Quality" are the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform all other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Basic computational skills required.
• Simple math reasoning required.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Preferred to have a Bachelor's Degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Agriculture Science, Microbiology, or Chemistry with 3-5 years food manufacturing experience. Or associate degree with 6-7 years food manufacturing experience.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: N/A

Driving Requirements: N/A

Equipment

Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking : Stands, walks and sits during completion of job responsibilities.
• Lifting/Carrying : Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.
• Pushing/Pulling : Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.
• Bending/Stooping : Occasional bending and stooping requirements.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling : Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.
• Twisting/Turning : Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.
• Climbing/Balancing : Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.
• Reaching : Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.
• Grasping/Manipulating : Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.

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The pay range is listed below and represents a good faith estimate upon hire. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidates experience, skills, and qualifications.