Quality Technician

Job Type: Regular

• Starting Rate: $24.73/hour
• Two pay increases within a year, up to $1.00
• Sunday Double Time
• Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package focusing on your physical, financial, and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) with up to 7% company contributions
  • 3 Weeks PTO on day 1
  • Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
  • Paid parental leave
• Advancement Opportunities
• Healthy work/life balance

The Quality Technician I supports Agropur's commitment to food safety and quality by monitoring and verifying production parameters in accordance with Quality programs. The Quality Technician I is responsible for ensuring organization standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are followed to preserve integrity of the products while providing feedback for continuous improvements for the Quality System.

• 7am-7pm (2-2-3 schedule)

• Perform various testing including in-line sensory testing, in-line titratable acidity testing, in-line pH testing, equipment sponge swabbing, in-line production sampling, etc.
• Notify lead/supervisor about any inconsistencies.
• Support adherence and continuous improvement of pre-requisite programs including GMP's, training, calibration, pest management, cleaning/sanitation, environmental monitoring, and allergen control.
• Comply with the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) program and help maintain the program in the production facility.
• Work with Production on the Quality Systems during manufacturing process and consult with production to resolve quality, production, and efficiency problems.
• Actively participate in sustaining all certifications that Agropur Ingredients holds including SQF, NFS, Kosher, Organic, Certified Gluten Free, and Halal.
• Follow through with changes to existing products in response to complaints, customer requests, or cost-saving activity.
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness in production lines and 5S standards. Equipment and work areas are to be kept organized, clean and sanitary throughout the shift.
• Support product safety, quality and legality.
• Calculate and review specifications on testing data and enter data into Quality Laboratory Information Management System.
• Assist in determining product disposition regarding holds during the time of manufacturing.
• Actively participate in root cause analysis for corrective actions that occur during production and other product non-conformances within the plant.
• Perform startup inspections and hourly checks on production lines. (The amount of inspections/hourly checks varies per production line.)
• Review and sign off on production paperwork.

• Contact with Production, Maintenance, and Warehouse employees to obtain and provide information and will occasionally work with Inventory and Production Planning.
• Contact with customers for tours and audits, and regulatory agencies for audits.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Safety Protocol
  • Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
  • Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
  • Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's Degree in Science, Food Science or Chemistry field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered.

• Minimum one (1) year of production/food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of quality assurance procedures and sampling requirements required.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs and FDA required.

• Ability to obtain and maintain Appendix N certification for Certified Industry Analyst.
• Certification for all requirements of 2400 Series and Milk Cream Testers license as needed.

• Able to exchange basic informational data (fill out forms/checklists, copy data from one record to another, etc.); interview to gather information; advise others on alternatives/options; coach and counsel others; read, understand and explain technical data.
• Ability to apply logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Quality and regulatory decisions administered soundly and consistently with policies and in compliance with appropriate laws and regulations.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with executives, managers, colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Follow written, verbal and/or…