Quality Assurance Technician I

About the role

In this role you will help sustain Mennel’s tradition of excellence established in 1886 and support our food safety programs and mission to reliably deliver superior quality, uniformity, and service. The purpose of this position is to meet and exceed expectations of internal and external customers by conducting required testing, ensuring compliance with internal/external specifications and all food safety programs, and upholding the Mission, Motto, and Food Safety and Quality Statement of the Mennel Milling Company.

Responsibilities

• Follow all food and personal safety rules and regulations, including GMPs, OSHA, HACCP, the Global Food Safety Initiative, the US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and sanitation guidelines; attend all required training sessions.
• Maintain the department/facility in an everyday audit‑ready condition.
• Perform assigned routine testing and report analyses for both internal and external customers.
• Conduct accurate analysis of routine samples.
• Promptly communicate important quality, safety, and security concerns to co‑workers and the Quality Assurance Manager.
• Calibrate and/or troubleshoot each analysis, maintaining calibration logs for all testing procedures.
• Perform monthly intra‑lab check samples.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area and complete assigned sanitation duties.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in cereal science, food science, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, analytical instrumentation, microbiology, or a related field preferred.
• Ability to effectively prioritize, organize tasks, and ensure completion of assignments efficiently and with high quality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Internet/Intranet, and other computer software needed to complete essential duties.
• Ability to maintain open communication with both internal and external customers.
• Language skills: read and comprehend simple instructions, memos, procedures, and plans; write checklists and basic documentation; present information or data to co‑workers, supervisors, and managers.
• Mathematical skills: add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Reasoning ability: use solid judgment when making decisions and quickly recognize and plan for changing work duties and events.

Physical demands

The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to perform maintenance tasks, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, twist, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. Occasionally the employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more. Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment

The role is performed in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting with moving equipment and machinery, dusty, hot/humid, and cold conditions. The employee must be willing to work in all weather conditions, at heights, and in the presence of airborne particles. Noise levels usually require hearing protection. Work involves exposure to common wheat allergens.

Schedule

Work shift as assigned with overtime as required.