Our client near Minneapolis is a growing organization made up of businesses that produce and sell products such as: pasta, peanut butter, granola, trail mixes, and much more. .This role is critical to ensure we keep our food safe and of the highest quality. The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for performing product quality tests and evaluations throughout the production process. This position is also responsible for assisting the Quality Assurance Supervisor in food safety.  This position has the potential for promotion into a lead technician role.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct routine floor audits of production and packaging areas to confirm correct product shapes, specifications, storage, packaging, labeling, and coding
• Responsible for the identification of food safety hazards and issues
• Perform necessary inspections of incoming ingredients, outgoing finished goods, or returned finished goods
• Perform quality and sensory evaluations of finished goods
• Work with department managers to proactively identify and implement solutions and/or modifications to current procedures and programs to ensure the continuing safety of the finished product
• Measure product samples and report dies that are out of specification
• Hold any product manufactured out of specification and communicate with all involved departments regarding disposition
• Evaluate and record hourly trays and hourly noodle & long goods samples
• Assist with the supervision of the sanitation team by verifying completed work.
• Maintain and inspect retention samples for quality purposes
• Assist the QA supervisor with the management and execution of the Sales and customer sample request programs
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis for outgoing finished goods
• Responsible for supporting and maintaining food safety and quality programs, along with proactively identifying and executing all continuous improvement opportunities in safety, food safety, quality, productivity, and sanitation.
• Participates and supports all Quality and Safety audits and annual certifications, including internal audits and paperwork compliance
• Assist in coaching production staff on new procedures as they relate to quality and food safety
• Other duties, as assigned

Education And Experience Required:

• 1+ years’ experience in quality assurance testing
• Must have experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in food related field. (Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, etc.)
• 1+ years’ experience in quality assurance testing
• 1+ year work experience in food plant sanitation or quality assurance

Physical Requirements: Qualified candidates must be able to perform the following physical job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Must be able to sit for 4+ hours per shift
• Must be able to walk for 4+ hours per shift
• Must be able to lift up-to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to climb ladders