Quality Assurance (QA) Technician

At PURIS, we're dedicated to cultivating a better food system and making a positive impact. By transforming high-quality, USA-made pea ingredients and non-GMO soybeans into essential components, we power a wide range of everyday products—from cereals and snacks to protein beverages, soy milk, tofu, and beyond. Our ingredients strengthen the domestic food supply chain and support a healthier future. This role offers the chance to be part of an exciting period of expansion and growth, driving strategic initiatives and implementing new processes that contribute to a better food future for people and the planet.

About the role

As a Quality Assurance Technician at PURIS, you are central to our mission of transforming the global food system through innovation in plant-based nutrition. Aligning with our purpose of "Safe People, Safe Food, Safe Planet," this role ensures all products adhere to the highest standards. You will contribute to a safe, secure, and sustainable food supply made in the USA, grounded in over 30 years of non-GMO natural breeding. By ensuring consistent implementation of FSQR protocols across production operations, you will support compliance and continuous improvement, advancing our vision of a Plant Strong Planet.

Responsibilities

• SQF Practitioner: Oversee the implementation, review, and maintenance of the SQF Quality Management System (QMS) to meet GFSI standards. Maintain document control, including updates and execution of quality control and food safety policies and procedures (HACCP, GMP, Sanitation, Pest Control). Assist in evaluating current and proposed system procedures.
• PCQI Expectation: Maintain working knowledge of the Food Safety Plan. Ensure all preventive controls are validated and verified, with documented evidence demonstrating their effectiveness. Review and assess monitoring and verification records to ensure 100% compliance, timely review, and proper disposition of deviations. Maintain audit-ready records that meet FSMA requirements for accuracy, completeness, and traceability. Support reanalysis of the Food Safety Plan at least annually or when significant changes occur.
• Test Evaluation and Coordination: Review, support, and verify the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) by conducting and evaluating test results against acceptance criteria. Maintain comprehensive logs and/or electronic files of all test outcomes. Ensure accuracy in testing outcomes using FOSS and other testing equipment.
• Product Release Management: Verify product compliance to FSQR standards and coordinate the release of product within published timelines.
• COA Generation: Generate certificates of analysis for finished products, aligning with customer requirements and FSQR standards.
• FSQR Process Optimization: Identify and suggest improvements, implementing enhancements supported by procedures and systems.
• Incident Management: Investigate FSQR incidents and support root cause analysis. Lead corrective actions for all preventive control failures or out-of-spec results, ensuring 100% documentation, escalation, and closure within defined timelines.
• Compliance and Inspections: Conduct internal audits of QMS for FSQR, SQF/GFSI, Organic, and customer compliance using quality approval criteria. Perform site inspections as necessary, communicate findings, and support process optimization around nonconformities.
• Documentation and Records Maintenance: Prioritize customer specification requests, support questionnaire completion, and maintain essential documents and records, including Quality Document statements, supplier and customer questionnaires, and supplier quality information.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Influence and demonstrate ownership of the FSQR System and processes. Act as a self-starter to proactively identify gaps, drive continuous improvement, and implement sustainable solutions. Champion food safety culture by ensuring standards are met and continuously strengthened. Engage with quality, engineering, operations, sales, and warehouse teams to address quality concerns and optimize FSQR processes across all product lines.
• Food Safety Team Development: Be an active member of the Food Safety Team and gain knowledge around critical Food Safety Systems.
• Supporting Business Development: Assist the sales and operations team with customer samples, executing preparation aimed at closing new business development leads and achieving variety approvals for current customers.

Requirements

• 1-2 years of experience in a related field is desirable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office platforms (Excel, Word, Loop, SharePoint, etc.).
• PCQI Certified or obtainable within approximately 6 months.
• HACCP Certified or obtained within 6 months of hire.
• SQF Practitioner or obtained within 6 months of hire.

Pay

Starting pay rate: $23.00 per hour, paid biweekly. Bonus eligible. Compensation is based on qualifications, experience, market data, and internal equity. Actual pay may vary due to factors such as location, skills, education, and performance.

Benefits

• Medical insurance plans starting as low as $31 per paycheck (effective the first of the month after hire date).
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Free digital healthcare for all employees.
• Life and Short-Term Disability insurance covered at 100%.
• Flexible health and dependent care spending accounts.
• 401(k) plan with a company contribution of 3.5% when you contribute up to 6%.
• 80 hours of PTO accrued annually, plus 8 paid holidays.
• Access to a variety of free resources for work-life balance.

Why Work with Us?

• Career Growth: Dynamic work environment with opportunities to develop skills and advance your career. Commitment to nurturing talent and providing professional development.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Range of benefits designed to support well-being and work-life balance, including on-demand pay and telehealth services.
• Innovative Environment: Work with state-of-the-art engineering and cutting-edge technology in the plant-based food industry.
• Strong Values: Culture built on collaboration, excellence, and a shared commitment to integrity, leadership, openness, global vision, adaptability, and partnership.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Deep dedication to minimizing environmental impact and promoting regenerative agriculture.