Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technologist - 2nd Shift

The position is part of the Food Safety & Quality Assurance team, ensuring products meet the highest standards through routine sanitation checks, HACCP and USDA regulation enforcement, and technical expertise in product tracking and issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Quality Verification: Conduct routine inspections (process, metal detection, cooking, chilling) to ensure products meet quality standards. Identify and act on out-of-spec products, interpret customer specs, and collaborate with teams to correct issues quickly.
• Quality Improvement: Drive continuous improvement by addressing deficiencies, identifying root causes of failures, and supporting QA programs. Includes training, spec reviews, and collaborating on initiatives to enhance product quality and reduce waste.
• Food Safety & HACCP Compliance: Help develop and enforce HACCP programs, monitor critical control points, and ensure food safety protocols are followed throughout production.
• Regulatory & Sanitation Oversight: Ensure USDA regulatory requirements are met, assist with food safety documentation updates, and perform pre-op sanitation checks. Follow up to guarantee proper cleaning and sampling procedures.
• Communication & Training: Report food safety issues, recommend corrective actions, and support plant training on deficiencies. Step in or delegate responsibilities in the absence of key personnel.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), required. For internal candidates with 4+ years of experience, the company may waive educational requirements.
• Ability to complete required forms in English (read and write).
• Knowledge of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, and USDA regulations to ensure compliance with company and industry standards.
• Capable of creating, interpreting, and maintaining technical documents, reports, and manuals with effective written and verbal communication.
• Experienced in using monitoring equipment, analyzing data, and responding to regulatory or customer inquiries with evidence-based decisions.
• Proficient in office software and able to interpret and follow instructions in written, oral, and visual formats.

Skills

• Associate’s degree, preferred.
• Collaborates effectively in fast-paced, dynamic environments while maintaining a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented attitude.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Office and plant setting with wet/humid conditions, extreme cold/heat, moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, and chemicals.
• Noise level is usually moderate but can be loud in production areas.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements: close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Exposed to temperatures ranging from 30–80 degrees, often working in warm and cold areas simultaneously.
• Frequently required to stand for prolonged periods; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.