Quality Operations Technician

About the role

The Quality Operations Technician ensures exceptional product quality by auditing the facility and production lines, evaluating raw materials, bulk, and finished products, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This role plays a key part in maintaining a world-class manufacturing control program and supporting a culture of quality across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Complete packaging batch record paperwork accurately and in a timely manner where required.
• Perform regular audits of manufacturing lines and the manufacturing plant to maintain a world-class manufacturing control program.
• Ensure quality events, including deviations, non-conformances, and potential issues, are properly documented, escalated, and resolved to support efficient and effective decision making.
• Maintain compliance with current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions, and test procedures.
• Proactively update SOPs, Work Instructions, controlled forms, and test methods to support process improvements and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure documentation records are accurate, complete, and compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
• Provide technical and process direction, as well as training, to manufacturing personnel to support consistent quality practices.
• Use strong interpersonal skills to help create and sustain a culture of quality and increase quality awareness throughout the facility.
• Document and investigate deviations and out-of-specification (OOS) situations, determining root causes and proposing corrective and preventive actions.
• Coach personnel to improve compliance with regulatory and quality requirements and reinforce best practices.
• Verify that products meet quality specifications and customer standards prior to release.
• Ensure current reference and product standards are properly maintained and updated as needed.
• Accurately record data and pertinent information in accordance with cGMP requirements.
• Use data and trend analysis to identify and permanently resolve ongoing quality issues on the production floor.
• Document OOS situations, determine root causes, and suggest solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain compliance with current regulatory expectations and practices, such as USP and 21 CFR drug manufacturing regulations.
• Understand, promote, and maintain a culture of lean action within the department.
• Implement and maintain standards and processes that eliminate waste throughout the department.
• Apply and utilize lean tools to implement permanent improvements to quality and efficiency.
• Institutionalize 5S (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) in all aspects of the department.
• Perform other related work and duties as assigned to support production, quality, and customer requirements.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in a GMP manufacturing environment such as pharmaceutical, cosmetics, personal care, food processing, or medical device (preferred).
• HS Diploma required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Working knowledge of cGMP and 21 CFR drug manufacturing regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in GMP environments related to cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, food processing, or medical device manufacturing.
• Familiarity with OTC product manufacturing and associated quality requirements.
• Experience working with quality systems that support a wide range of products, including beauty, bath and body, lip balms, skincare, sunscreens, and cleaning detergents.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and tools, including waste elimination and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Practical experience implementing and sustaining 5S practices (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain).
• Ability to adapt to cyclical work demands and changing customer requirements.
• Comfort with moderate to high levels of physical activity in a production setting.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills to support a culture of quality and compliance.
• Ability to respond and adapt to changes in the work environment and production priorities.
• Interest in professional growth, with opportunities to advance into QA Analyst or QA Specialist roles after 2–3 years of strong performance.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $26.00 – $30.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available)
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Schedule

Contract-to-hire position based in Eden Prairie, MN. Fully onsite. Anticipated closing date: Nov 5, 2026.