Quality Assurance Technician I

Job Description

Job Description

Job title

Quality Assurance Tech I

Reports to

QA Supervisor/Director

Job Description

The Quality Assurance Technician I is responsible for ensuring food safety and quality compliance in a food manufacturing facility. This position involves accurate reporting of data on HACCP/Quality documents, verification of Critical Control Points (CCP) and Quality Control Points (QCP), conducting microbiological analyses and other quality checks, and assisting in the maintenance of regulatory compliance. The technician will also perform calibrations, sampling, and support production staff with adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accurately report data on daily HACCP/Quality documents in Redzone and customer-facing documents.
• Verify CCPs and QCPs through microbiological analysis, titration, and other testing methods. Make informed decisions based on data and experience.
• Conduct sample collection, preparation, analytical testing, interpretation, recording, and reporting of analytical results within the appropriate quality system.
• Perform calibrations and equipment verifications to ensure accurate measurements. Assist with basic troubleshooting of equipment.
• Conduct food safety and quality checks at required frequencies and ensure compliance with standards.
• Assist in managing inventory for chemicals, personal protective equipment, and other quality utensils/tools.
• Assist in training production staff on GMP and GHP to ensure adherence to food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and SQF policies.
• Identify and resolve quality issues, making informed decisions and placing product on hold when necessary.
• Maintain effective communication with team members and management regarding quality and safety concerns.

Other tasks as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1-2 years of experience in a food processing facility as a Quality Assurance Technician.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English. Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
• Knowledge of equipment calibration (thermometers, scales), basic chemical titration, and O2/CO2 headspace analyzer usage.
• Ability to apply concepts such as percentages, ratios, proportions, and dilutions to practical situations.
• Strong understanding of HACCP, SQF, GMP, sanitation practices, ATP, and APC swabbing techniques.
• Ability to apply critical thinking to solve practical problems and make timely decisions.

Skills:

• Strong focus on accuracy and quality control.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks accurately.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts, including weekends and overtime as needed.

Work Conditions:

• Exposure to varying temperatures depending on warehouse conditions.

• Cold and wet environment with temperatures ranging from 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Must adhere to safety standards, including wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to wear slip resistance shoes
• Standard hazards associated with persons and equipment in motion in a warehouse.

Physical requirements

• Ability to read, write, see, hear, and speak clearly to ensure accurate documentation and effective communication.
• Ability to bend, squat, stoop, reach, turn, push and pull, and move around in a fast-paced environment as needed to complete job tasks.
• Ability to go up and down incline stairs as required in the work environment.

• The employee must frequently stand and walk. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug test