QA Technician

About the role

The Quality Assurance Technician performs physical and visual inspections to verify product specification, quality, and food safety procedure compliance. This position reports to the Quality Assurance Lead and/or Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Comply with all Food Safety Quality Assurance policies and USDA regulations; model and coach these expectations to facility team members.
• Complete inspections to verify product meets internal and customer specifications and take appropriate actions when non-compliance is observed.
• Conduct product reviews to meet product grading, packaging, and weight compliance procedures.
• Monitor team members' work practices and address deficiencies by informing the team member and reporting the issue to the supervisor.
• Monitor product processing areas and practices to mitigate potential for foreign material contamination.
• Inspect equipment for cleanliness and proper working condition prior to start-up or during process (based on shift) and record findings legibly.
• Collect, track, and implement numerical data.
• Communicate properly with all levels of management and USDA.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Supervisor to support production demands.

Requirements

• Minimal computer skills and willingness to learn company software.
• Able to move, open, and inspect plant-produced products.
• Able to stand on concrete surfaces up to four continuous hours with a minimum of 8 hours per shift.
• Physically able to navigate all areas of the processing facility and follow all safety procedures.
• Able to perform strenuous work in a damp environment with a wide range of temperatures.
• Dependable, prompt, with strong integrity and work ethic.
• Able to work independently and uphold company values to support the Quality Pillar and FSQA programs.
• Able to understand and follow instructions and learn methods and practices used in poultry processing.
• Able to work varying days (including weekends) when processing schedules change.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating efficiently and cooperatively with coworkers and leadership teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Skills

• Math with knowledge of averages, percents, and fractions.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to read and write English.
• Able to use a calculator and ruler.

Work Environment

• Regularly exposed to wet and humid conditions and moving mechanical parts.
• Occasionally exposed to high precarious places, extreme cold, and vibration.
• Very loud noise level in the work environment.

Protective Equipment

• Ear plugs/muffs
• Rubber gloves
• Cotton gloves
• Hair/Beard nets
• Apron
• Goggles

Safety Factors

• Know how to use and locate the emergency stop switch.
• Know the location of primary and secondary emergency exits.
• Know and use proper lifting techniques.
• Always be aware of pallet jack traffic (electric and hand jack).
• Use caution on wet floors – wear proper footwear.