Overview
The Quality Technician is responsible for monitoring and verifying the quality and food safety of products throughout the manufacturing process. This position performs inspections, testing, sampling, documentation, and process monitoring to ensure products meet Gielow Pickles' quality standards, customer requirements, and applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.
The Quality Technician works closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Management to identify quality or food safety concerns, communicate issues promptly, and assist in corrective actions and continuous improvement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform routine inspections and quality checks of raw materials, ingredients, packaging materials, in-process products, and finished products.
- Monitor production lines and processes to ensure established specifications, procedures, and quality standards are being followed.
- Perform required product testing, measurements, sampling, and evaluations.
- Verify product characteristics such as appearance, size, weight, temperature, fill levels, packaging, labeling, and other applicable specifications.
- Collect and properly identify product samples and retain samples as required.
- Monitor critical control points and other food safety controls as assigned.
- Complete quality, food safety, production, and inspection records accurately and in a timely manner.
- Review production records and documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Identify, document, and communicate product or process deviations and non-conformances.
- Place product or materials on hold when required and follow established procedures for disposition.
- Assist with investigations into quality issues, food safety concerns, customer complaints, and product deviations.
- Assist with determining root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Communicate quality and food safety concerns immediately to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
- Verify that production employees are following established GMPs, food safety procedures, and quality requirements.
- Conduct routine GMP and sanitation inspections throughout the facility.
- Assist with internal audits, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and food safety program requirements.
- Support compliance with HACCP, GMP, FDA, and other applicable food safety requirements.
- Assist in training and educating production employees on quality, food safety, GMPs, and proper procedures.
- Work with Production and other departments to identify opportunities to improve product quality, reduce waste, and improve processes.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
- Follow all company safety policies, food safety policies, SOPs, and other established procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Quality Technician plays an important role in maintaining Gielow Pickles' food safety culture and is expected to:
- Understand and follow all applicable food safety policies and procedures.
- Enforce established GMP and personal hygiene requirements.
- Monitor compliance with HACCP and other preventive food safety controls.
- Immediately report conditions that could affect product safety or quality.
- Properly document inspections, testing, deviations, corrective actions, and other required information.
- Maintain confidentiality and integrity of quality and food safety records.
- Stop or escalate production concerns when established quality or food safety standards are not being met.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Previous experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance, quality control, or a related field preferred.
- Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, FDA regulations, and food safety practices preferred.
- Previous laboratory or product-testing experience is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify product and process abnormalities.
- Ability to read and follow written procedures, specifications, and instructions.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Basic computer skills and ability to accurately enter and maintain information.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
- Ability to make sound decisions and appropriately escalate quality and food safety concerns.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
- Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, and climbing stairs.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
- Ability to work around production equipment, conveyors, moving machinery, and noise.
- Ability to work in wet, cold, warm, and humid food manufacturing environments.
- Ability to safely access production areas and perform inspections throughout the facility.
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, and varying schedules when required by production needs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Quality Technician works primarily in a food manufacturing environment and will regularly be present on production floors and in processing areas. The position may be exposed to water, food products, cleaning chemicals, noise, machinery, varying temperatures, and other conditions typical of a pickle processing and packaging facility.
Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn as required.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
The Quality Technician is expected to:
- Maintain a strong focus on food safety and product quality.
- Be dependable and maintain regular attendance.
- Accurately complete all required documentation.
- Communicate concerns promptly and professionally.
- Work cooperatively with Production and other departments.
- Maintain a professional attitude and positive working relationship with employees at all levels.
- Follow all Gielow Pickles policies, procedures, safety requirements, and food safety standards.
- Take ownership of quality issues and follow them through to resolution.
Pay: From $19.83 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
