Title QA Technician -2nd Shift

About the Company

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers, and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants, and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers gain insights to help them stay competitive. Our portfolio includes creative solutions for food industry professionals in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods. With over 13,500 associates globally in 100 countries and annual sales of $5.9 billion, Rich’s is a global leader focused on everything that family makes possible.

Purpose of the Role

The QA Technician's purpose is to assure food safety through HACCP compliance monitoring, implementing corrective actions, and reporting deviations to the QA Manager.

Responsibilities

• Document test results, communicate deviations with management and co-associates.
• Review data and direct follow-up of product testing deviations and trends to meet customer requirements.
• Conduct product and process capability studies as directed by QA Manager or designate.
• Perform QA tasks including product sampling, line monitoring, auditing, lab testing, and calibrations to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Coordinate lab operation, raw material, finished product, and audit analytical data and reports for process improvements.
• Audit laboratory testing, analytical test methods, and protocols for compliance with Standard Operating Procedure and Quality Assurance Agreement.
• Review and approve deviations, investigations, and corrective and preventive actions associated with analytical laboratories.
• Review and audit microbiological testing and sanitation cleaning inspection reports.
• Place ingredients and finished goods on hold, as directed by the QA Manager/QA Team Leader.
• Investigate the root cause of defects in raw and finished products and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain and promote a quality culture through training.
• Maintain a well-organized and clean work area.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies for the lab.
• Coordinate timely hold and disposition of raw ingredients, packaging materials, and finished product.
• Utilize PLM, QDMS, SAP, and Minitab in support of business processes.
• Submit written reports on overall compliance, deviations, and corrective actions implemented.
• Understand Acidified Foods and compliance with all federal guidelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a biology-related field required. Related work experience preferred but not required.
• Chemistry work-related: Water activity, Free fatty acid testing, Viscosity, pH effect on food, Brix, Concentration, Moisture analyses, Allergen tests, Flour testing attributes.
• Microbiology work-related: Knowledge of pathogens and their growth characteristics as they relate to food manufacturing and the facility, including bacterial growth requirements, bacterial identification, growth morphology, temperature growth requirements, and bacterial food sources.
• One year of experience in commercial food processing preferred.
• PC skills including strong knowledge of Windows operating system and applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of statistics and use of software packages.
• Knowledge of database systems preferred.
• Ability to constructively deal with change and pressure.
• Willingness to continue training/education as necessary.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to operate powered equipment.
• Ability to use a full range of motion in both arms, hands, and legs.
• Ability to taste.
• Ability to operate normal laboratory equipment.
• Understanding of microbiological contaminants.
• Complete understanding of shortenings, sugars, starches, gums, and particulates.

Pay

Annual Range/Hourly Rate: $20.95 - $20.95