Quality Assurance Technician 1 (QA Tech I)
Location: Hood River OR
Reports to: Quality Assurance Supervisor
Summary
Food safety and quality are the highest priorities for our company. The Quality Assurance Technician 1 plays an essential role in the monitoring and verification of our food safety and quality systems. Through daily process checks as well as short- and long-term projects the QA Tech I will monitor and verify critical food safety steps and process parameters during production so that our customers can always enjoy our product with full confidence and comply with food and trade legislation. A successful QA tech follows quality and production SOPs consistently has an inquisitive mode of thinking seeks new knowledge communicates concerns and ideas proactively and communicates effectively with all levels of staff verbally and in writing.
Essential Functions
Verifying critical process checks and labeling appropriately.
Inspecting and swabbing production equipment for cleanliness damage allergens and/or microorganisms.
Assisting in the pest management program monitors plant and exterior for pests.
Collecting packages for inspections and analyses.
Organizing and filing records for quality assurance compliance and HACCP activities.
Monitoring quality assurance consumables inventory
Verifying accuracy of weighing equipment.
Monitoring metal detectors pasteurizers ovens and other critical process equipment.
Verifying accuracy of finished product codes and shelf dates against requirements.
Assisting QA Tech II with assigned activities.
Competencies
Good follow through. Owns a task from start to finish
Excels in working independently as well as with teams and other work groups
Technically minded. Speaks and writes well.
Works well under pressure.
Maintains professionalism and upholds food safety and quality policies at all times.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Work Environment
This job spends approximately 75% on production floor environment with approximately 25% in office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers phones photocopiers filing cabinets and works extensively within enterprise management software. This position is regularly required to enter both the lab and/or production floor and must follow personnel procedures pertaining to dress and code of conduct in those areas. Moderate traffic of powered material handling equipment such as forklifts pallet-jacks. Environment requires ear protection and good situational awareness. Plant environment and process equipment heavily uses steam hot water chemicals conveyors motorized blades.
Physical Demands
The employee is regularly required to stand or walk for majority of shift in a manufacturing setting. While performing some of the duties of this job the employee is required to stand walk reach stoop kneel or crouch. Other physical duties such as pushing pulling and lifting. Occasionally required to safely lift and/or tilt up to 50 lbs. Working within freezers and coolers for extended periods is common.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time non-exempt position. Typical days of work are Monday through Thursday 10:00am - 8:30 pm. Occasional long days and weekends may be required.
Travel
Travel between Hood River locations is frequent. No long-distance travel is expected for this position.
Required Education and Experience
High School Diploma or equivalent
Basic math (arithmetic averages percentages
Conversant and literate in English.
Basic-level computer skills using Microsoft Windows and Office.
Preferred Education and Experience
2-year degree
Conversant and literate in English and Spanish.
Experience working in a multilingual food manufacturing environment.
Familiar with United States FDA GMPs 21CFR117
Additional Qualifications
Certificate of food safety training in food manufacturing (HACCP SQF BRC)
Technical writing experience.
Experience in assisting with 3rd party State or Federal food safety/compliance audits and inspections.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.
Work Authorization
Must be eligible to work in the United States of America.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of our customers and the communities we operate in to attract and retain the best talent and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race creed color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity/expression national origin disability age genetic information veteran status marital status pregnancy maternity paternity or caring responsibilities or any other basis protected by law.