Job Summary: As the foundational member of our Quality Control team, the QC Technician Level 1 plays a critical role in upholding food safety standards on the production floor. You will perform hands-on inspections, monitor critical control points, and document findings to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) in our ready-to-eat (RTE) food facility. This entry-level position is ideal for detail-oriented individuals eager to grow in the food manufacturing industry.
Key Responsibilities:
Daily Inspections: Conduct routine GMP checks, including:
- Verifying product weights and temperatures using calibrated scales and thermometers. o Inspecting sanitation conditions (e.g., equipment cleanliness, employee hygiene).
- Collecting and organizing retain samples for shelf-life testing. Documentation: Accurately record inspection data on paper logs or digital systems (e.g., Excel, QC software), ensuring traceability for audits.
- Issue Escalation: Identify deviations (e.g., out-of-spec product, equipment malfunctions) and immediately notify supervisors to initiate corrective actions.
- Support Tasks: Assist with label verification, pre-operation checks, and product cuttings for quality evaluation.
- Other Duties as assigned
Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):
Knowledge:
- Basic understanding of food safety principles including HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Basic understanding of standard QC procedures including sampling, inspection, testing, and documentation.
- Familiarity with measurement tools (thermometers, scales).
Job Description
- Basic knowledge of product specifications ( including weight, size, appearance, packaging, and labeling) and sensory evaluation (including visual inspection, visual and aroma assessments to detect deviations from product norms.).
- Awareness of USDA/FDA regulations for RTE products.
- Basic Understanding of foreign material prevention programs.
Skills:
- Accurate data entry (paper/digital).
- Perform simple GMP inspections (e.g., weights, temperatures, titration, sanitation, daily cutting preparation, retain sample).
- Use of basic measuring tools (thermometers, scales).
- Attention to detail to spot non-conformities (e.g., packaging defects, incorrect labeling).
- Able to identify deviations from quality standards and escalate issues promptly to supervisors or QA personnel.
- Basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, data entry systems).
Abilities:
- Ability to follow written standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, inspection criteria, and precision.
- Communicate issues promptly to higher-level QC staff or supervisors.
- Follows production schedules as directed and prepares for assigned tasks with supervision.
- Completes assigned daily and weekly tasks within deadlines with direct supervision.
- Responds to radio communication within an acceptable timeframe when prompted or supervised.
- Willingness to learn and adapt to changing procedures, technologies, and quality standards.
- Willingness to work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays, depending on production needs.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods, as required in a production environment.
- Capable of working safely and efficiently in a cold, wet, or hot manufacturing environment while wearing required PPE.
- Willing to cover the production floor to the level above during crises and able to step in different shifts as needed.
- Lift 50 lbs and stand for extended periods in wet/cold environments.
Qualifications: Education:
- HS Diploma or equivalent.
- Experience: 0–1 year in food industry, sanitation, or related field.
Certifications:
- Food handler certificate (preferred).
Skills:
- Basic computer proficiency (Excel/Word), attention to detail, ability to follow SOPs.
Physical Requirements:
- Lift up to 50 lbs; stand for extended periods in cold/wet/hot environments.
Additional/Preferred:
- Bilingual in Spanish
Physical Demands / Environmental Conditions:
- The essential functions of the job and working conditions requires the individual to sit, walk, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lift, and usage of a computer and or mobile device. The job requires the individual to work in a light to moderate noise environment and will frequently work near moving mechanical parts. Working environment may include but is not limited to the donning, wearing, and usage of hairnets, smocks, coats, gloves, boots, glasses, and hard hats if necessary. The position may be exposed to extreme climate (e.g. hot, dry, cold, and wet) conditions; may potentially be exposed to allergens.
Work Schedule:
- May require flexibility to include early mornings, afternoons, nights and weekends
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
