QA Technician - HAGER

Responsibilities

• Comply with all SQF and USDA regulatory issues and food safety requirements, and act as Food Safety Representative.
• Complete a facility-wide pre-op visual inspection to confirm sanitation status of production areas prior to beginning daily production; write up Corrective Actions as needed, and address and resolve issues prior to start-up.
• Conduct Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) inspections twice per shift while plant is in production; complete inspection form and file.
• Communicate daily with the USDA representative, addressing all issues in a timely manner.
• Review Certificates of Analysis for all received raw goods.
• Absorb brine solution and maintain hourly salt/brine log tracking to specification.
• Ensure compliance to HACCP Plan by completing periodic net weight checks, color readings, Perfect Package checks, hourly temperature checks, hourly metal detector checks, drive unit/water temperature checks, salt pH/temperature checks, and assist with smoke tests as needed.
• Collect product samples during the production run; conduct length/weight analyses, periodic sensory evaluations and complete appropriate forms.
• Collect and package product samples for testing by Food Safety Net Service (FSNS) daily; complete Sample Submission forms.
• Check Metal Detector Rejections and Leaker logs for completeness and maintain file.
• Calibrate test equipment (pH meter, colorimeter, thermometers, etc.) and verify scales for accuracy throughout the facility.
• Maintain Reprocessed Product Logs, entering process/reprocess date and new code date into the system, and maintaining files.
• Collect information and documentation related to foreign material incidents.
• Absorb decisions to place product on QA Hold or remove from Hold as necessary; send Hold notifications to communicate, complete appropriate forms and update the Hold Log.
• Participate in organoleptics to evaluate product for extended shelf life, formulation changes, etc.
• Ensure partner compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as required.
• Follows all lockout/tag-out procedures without fail.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations per established company policies.
• Support the Lean Manufacturing initiatives of the company.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalency is normally required.
• An Associate's degree in Quality or related field is preferred.
• Previous Quality experience in a USDA-FSIS regulated food manufacturing environment would also be preferred.
• If non-degreed, must normally have a minimum of 6 months experience as a production Line Worker with Backup QA experience.