Quality Assurance Technician

About the role

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always. We are looking for a Quality Assurance Technician for Pilgrim’s who will monitor and inspect products and processing operations to ensure compliance with company quality standards, customer specifications, and USDA regulations. This role partners closely with production team members and management to identify quality concerns, verify product requirements, and support continuous compliance with food safety and quality programs. Quality Assurance Technicians play a critical role in maintaining product integrity throughout the production process by conducting inspections, documenting findings, monitoring Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and communicating quality-related issues that require corrective action.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and inspect products and processing steps to ensure production meets established quality standards.
• Perform product reviews to verify compliance with company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Check products for defects and perform measurements to verify specifications are met.
• Calculate pieces per pound and quantities per pallet or combo.
• Return inspected product to the production line following completion of required verification checks.
• Conduct routine production floor walkthroughs to monitor GMP compliance and identify potential product handling violations.
• Communicate quality concerns, findings, and observations to supervisors and production management.
• Identify and evaluate returned products or products placed on hold for quality analysis.
• Accurately document inspection results and quality findings on required forms and records.
• Provide supporting evidence and documentation of product findings as required.
• Notify production management when established action levels or quality thresholds are reached.
• Utilize required PPE and follow all company safety policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Experience: Poultry or food industry experience is a plus.
• Strong basic math skills.
• Ability to use verification and inspection tools such as thermometers, scales, calculators, and other quality-testing equipment.
• Ability to make sound decisions and exercise good judgment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality and food safety.
• Ability to repetitively perform inspection and verification tasks.
• Ability to effectively use both hands and maintain good grasping ability.
• Physical requirements: Ability to work in warm, cold, and wet production environments.
• Ability to stand and use hands for 8-11 hours per day.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to reach, bend, climb, stoop, push, and pull as required.

Schedule

• Monday–Friday with some weekend work required for 2nd shift.
• Sunday–Thursday with some weekend work required for 3rd shift.

Pay

• Base hourly salary rate of $16.95 with a $1.00 shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shift.

Benefits

• Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment.
• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, company observed holidays, or any other statutorily required paid leave.
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.
• Career Development: continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

About the company

Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. Our vision: Become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members. Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity.