QA Tech

This position is located in Henderson, NV.

About the Role

Under the direction of the Quality Assurance Supervision / Management, conducts assessments of the production process and production facility against established food safety and food quality standards. This individual is primarily responsible for sample collection; record review; SPC; coaching and partnering with production staff in investigating, documenting, and resolving process upsets and microbiology out-of-specification instances. Drives appropriate application of food safety and food quality programs and practices at the line level and takes corrective actions based on data. Works in conjunction with QA Management/Supervision, Process Operators, and Production teams.

Responsibilities

• Assures company food safety and food quality programs are appropriately applied during production, maintenance, and continuous improvement events.
• Participates in line operations, including attendance at Line Meetings and sharing key quality information such as environmental and microbiological data, hold statistics, first-time quality data, and GMP coaching.
• Reviews processing, manufacturing, maintenance, and sanitation records to promote food safety and food quality initiatives, including finished product and ingredient positive release. Drives solutions for any identified shortcomings.
• Reviews manufacturing control documentation (e.g., metal detection, code checks, ingredient traceability) and ensures discrepancies or deficiencies are addressed.
• Collects product, in-process, ingredient, and environmental samples as necessary and assists in investigations.
• Performs instrumental and wet-chemistry analyses on ice cream samples to verify cleaning program adequacy and mix-formulation compliance with company standards.
• Uses statistical tools to assist the processing laboratory in maintaining analytical control programs for in-process and QA lab tests.
• In conjunction with the Quality Coordinator, ensures the most current SOPs, Standard Work, Standard Settings, and other manufacturing control documents are maintained and executed as part of the QMS (Quality Monitoring Scheme).
• Monitors plant compliance with HACCP, PMO, WDI QFSE, and SQF guidelines and policies. Conducts or participates in plant inspections and investigations of product or environmental out-of-limits situations, documenting findings and implementing corrective actions.
• Fosters a positive food safety and food quality culture among peers across plant disciplines and promotes compliance with established quality programs and practices.

Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Science, Microbiology, and/or Food Science (or demonstrated experience with food/nutritional product sanitation, cleaning, manufacturing, or quality programs).
• Familiarity with food/nutritional product legislation (HACCP, SQF, FDA & USDA 21 CFR & 7 CFR or 9 CFR is a plus).
• Demonstrated QA or production/technical experience in a medical product, food, or nutritional product manufacturing or analytical laboratory setting; previous experience in an FDA/USDA-regulated industry.
• Experience with Cleaning, Sanitation, and Chemical Control practices and an understanding of dairy/food manufacturing equipment design.
• Familiarity with microbial flora found in food (dairy) plants and associated monitoring and control programs.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, quality, and chemical sanitation principles, specifically for food or nutritional products.
• General ability to understand facility-specific processes such as weighing, measuring, mixing, cleaning, sterilization, documentation, and process control automation.
• Ability to promote the requirements of the plant QMS and other QA programs such as GMPs, good documentation practices, and SPC.

Pay

Starting pay rate: $25.00 per hour.

Schedule

Days.

About Us

Wells Enterprises, a Ferrero company, is one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the United States and the maker of well-loved brands including Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, Blue Ribbon Classics, Trolli, Butterfinger, 100Grand, Baby Ruth, Nutella, and Kinder Bueno. Wells Enterprises is a $2 billion company employing 4,000 employees across 4 production plants and 2 main hub locations in Chicago and Le Mars. Guided by innovation, quality, and a people-first mindset, Wells is committed to delighting consumers and developing exceptional teams. As part of the Ferrero Group, Wells combines its strong U.S. heritage with Ferrero’s global standards of excellence, offering a unique opportunity to grow within a dynamic, values-driven, and international environment.

Benefits

At Wells, we support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.