Quality Technician (ALL SHIFTS)

About the Role

The QA Technician plays a critical role in ensuring product quality and food safety through inspections, testing, and documentation. This position involves monitoring raw materials, packaging, in-process inspections, and finished goods while maintaining detailed records and logs.

Responsibilities

• Perform raw material and packaging inspections.
• Monitor in-process inspections and review finished goods documentation.
• Conduct standard Microbiological and Physical testing.
• Maintain logs and data records (e.g., non-conforming materials, corrective action logs, hold logs, weight control).
• Conduct pre-operational inspections and ATP/allergen swabbing to ensure proper cleaning of production lines.
• Complete and document corrective actions for quality and food safety issues.
• Perform Pre-Operational Inspections for bulk products, ensuring all food contact areas and equipment are properly cleaned.
• Verify sanitation standards before and during production, conducting audits and follow-ups.
• Ensure employees adhere to proper dress code (GMPs) and report violations immediately.
• Verify finished product specifications, including size, shape, weight, color, and packaging quality.
• Check packaging components, code dates, legibility, and positioning.
• Monitor freezer/cooler temperatures and take corrective actions if out of range.
• Validate finished product through baking for flavor, aroma, texture, and appearance.
• Monitor, document, and validate QACQP (Quality Assurance Critical Quality Points) and all quality checkpoints.
• Validate lot numbers for accuracy for ingredients and packaging.
• Lead and support investigations for food safety and quality issues (e.g., foreign material, holds, consumer complaints).
• Identify root causes, corrective actions, and monitor effectiveness.
• Communicate GMP violations, product issues, mechanical issues, and safety concerns to management.
• Support execution of GMPs and follow safety rules and procedures.
• Notify management of non-compliant products and assist with necessary adjustments or repairs.
• Page maintenance for quality-related issues and notify supervisors of unsafe situations.
• Verify metal detector functionality and perform metal checks as outlined in the HACCP plan.
• Maintain a daily shift diary and discuss events in QA meetings.
• Empowered to stop the line or place product on hold if deemed inferior or out of specification.
• Perform additional duties as requested by the Quality Assurance Supervisor or Manager.

Requirements

• Precision and accuracy in all tasks.
• Ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced environment under pressure.
• Proactive mindset and flexibility.
• Ability to lead staff collaboratively and encourage teamwork.
• Strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to addressing issues.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and proofing skills.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Good mathematical skills (basic statistical skills highly desirable).
• Basic problem-solving and corrective/preventative action knowledge.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand for 8-10 hours consistently (with meal and break periods).
• Ability to walk on flat and uneven surfaces, including stairs and ladders.
• Ability to work in temperature-controlled environments ranging from 55-85 degrees.
• Ability to handle frozen product with hands.
• Ability to grasp, grip, sort, group, and separate products with hands.
• Ability to lift 25-50 lbs from floor to waist and waist to shoulder.
• Ability to bend, pull, push, twist, stoop, and squat.
• Ability to use back to lift, pull, and push objects.
• Ability to stretch and reach to grab objects.
• Ability to work in a bakery environment with loud noises, strong smells, and dust/flour.
• Ability to define colors for color code policy purposes.
• Ability to communicate verbally and perform office/data entry work.