QA Technician

Purpose Statement

The QA Technician's will ensure that products produced meet customer specifications and company quality standards. Responsible for recommending improvements in manufacturing, quality, and sanitation practices. 

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Retrieve samples from each line running and perform the tests as required by customer or Rich's Products and enter into QDMS/Dash Patrol system
• Perform line checks a minimum of once per hour.
• Assist during trial runs 
• Perform weekly pre-op inspections with the Sanitation department.
• Perform weekly GMP audits.
• Check metal detectors at start, middle and end of run.  Ensure production associates are performing metal detector checks at least every hour. 
• Calibrate thermometers daily
• Place non-conforming product on hold. Complete an investigation form, update hold log and communicate to management.
• Perform weekly frying and pita evaluation 
• Fresh product shelf-life study
• Perform air plate tests
• Paperwork review 
• Perform environmental monitoring swabbing
• Yeast & Mold incubator, cooler and freezer temperature checks
• Close out library pallet and update logs
• Perform allergen testing and validation 
• Fill out 6’s Daily Task List
• Completes ingredient and/or packaging material holds as needed
• Completes foreign material investigation forms as needed
• Assist with training of new associates, new programs, work instructions, etc.
• Perform laboratory housekeeping: remove recycled paper, remove smock hangers, clean lab all equipment, maintain area tidy
• Assist QA Lead or QA Manager with projects as needed
• Attend quarterly communication meetings as directed.

Food Safety Duties

• Follow all GMP’s, food safety, and quality policies.
• Report all food safety incidents such as GMP violations, ingredient and product contamination, metal detector, screen, or magnet deficiencies, glass breakage, and pest harborage.
• Monitor product quality and food safety throughout all stages of production, recording such results as required, and reporting deficiencies to Supervision.
• Record accurate and legible results on documentation
• Provide adequate housekeeping at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, chemistry or 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 its growth characteristics as it relates to food manufacturing and the facility. Bacterial growth requirement; Bacterial identification; Growth morphology; Temperature growth requirement; Bacterial food source.
• One year experience in commercial food processing preferred.
• PC skills to include strong knowledge of Windows operating system, and applications to include 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. Willing to continue training/ education as necessary.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• 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.
• Must have understanding of microbiological contaminates.
• Must have complete understanding of shortenings, sugars, starches, gums, and particulates.