Food Safety Quality Assurance Technician

About the role

Reports to: Food Safety Quality Assurance Team Lead. Assists and reports to the QA lead and management in ensuring first article inspections (startup) for each line are performed adequately and in a timely manner, observing production runs and interceding when a deviation occurs, enforcing plant GMPs, conducting raw material, in-process ingredient, and finished product quality checks, reporting deviations to management, ensuring the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory complies with Good Laboratory Practices, documenting findings, and taking actions as required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee line startup meets all product specifications and parameters of the line startup after the rooms and equipment have been released from Pre-ops.
• Assist in first level troubleshoot of all in-line detection, including Metal Detector, X-Ray and Checkweigher.
• Escalate to relevant personnel in a timely manner if in-line detection systems are not operating properly.
• Serve as main backup for coverage during line startup for QA technician absences.
• Serve as backup for QA Receiving and QA Shipping in case of absences.
• Ensure analytical chemistry laboratory supplies are replenished and laboratory complies with Good Laboratory Practices.
• Collaborate with QA lead and management to resolve all reported deviations from Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards, and specification requirements.
• Report all deviations from Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards, and specification requirements immediately to the supervisor/manager.
• Follow the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards, and safety rules (including Personal Protective Equipment -PPE); enforce all of these practices, standards, and rules with all employees.
• Conduct GMP inspections in all areas and ensure adherence to Food Safety, Quality, and Cleanliness is maintained.
• Report all deviations from product specifications and parameters immediately to Quality Management.
• Report unsafe work conditions to management in real-time.
• Report any deficiencies that may pose a food safety threat to management as soon as they are observed.
• Create and place hold tags with physical count and detailed report of the incident.
• Calibrate thermometers, scales, and other lab equipment.
• Perform and sign off on pre-operational inspection for line clearance.
• Ensure formulas are present for all product runs.
• Ensure & review that all formulas are followed on the production floor.
• Inspect raw material coming into production for quality and spec adherence.
• Report to work on time as scheduled and to/from lunch and breaks.
• Must be able to take on other responsibilities that are not part of their regular tasks in the event it is deemed necessary.
• QA Technician is backed up by QA Team Lead or QA Supervisor.
• Adheres to all Food Safety/Quality SOPs.
• Communicates and assists in resolving any known or suspected Food Safety/Quality issues to management or direct supervisor.
• Attends Food Safety/Quality training sessions as required.

Requirements

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