Quality Food Safety Technician

Open Gates Group is a family of companies based near Kalona, IA, dedicated to supporting our employees and enriching our community. Rooted in a deep commitment to local farmers, we started with a creamery and have since grown to include 10 additional food industry businesses. Today, we proudly help source, produce, sell, and transport high-quality Midwestern products to over 3,500 stores across the nation.

Our Organic Milk comes from grass-fed cows on small, family-owned farms that prioritize sustainability. These farms never use GMOs, herbicides, or pesticides, ensuring a healthier product for both consumers and the planet. We pasteurize our milk at the lowest temperature allowed by law (never ultra-pasteurized or sterilized) and keep it non-homogenized with a rich, delicious cream-top. Our farms are “Verified Regenerative” through Land to Market, meaning our cows are grazed in a way that enhances the environment, rather than harming it. We’re looking for a Quality Food Safety Technician to join our team!

The Quality Food Safety Technician is responsible for coordinating and facilitating quality standards for the organization. This position works collaboratively with Open Gates Production teams to ensure production goals are met while maintaining quality compliance.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining and developing internal processes and procedures while supporting new and upcoming projects related to the business operations of Farmers Creamery, Kalona Creamery, Frytown Distribution and Warehouse, and Kalona Farms.
• Inspect the plants periodically and regularly for compliance with Company, Federal and State regulations.
• Inspect the plants' cleaning and sanitizing procedures periodically and regularly.
• Assist the Quality Manager with special projects for implementing quality initiatives at each plant.
• Assist the Quality and Production teams by managing the paperwork related to quality food safety audits, inspections and new projects/products.
• Obtain Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification within the first 60 days to assist with managing, organizing, and signing off on production paperwork.
• Obtain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification within the first 60 days to assist with writing and implementing HACCP plans, SOPs/SSOPs, Policies, and Programs for the Quality Department.
• Obtain Internal Audit certification within the first 90 days to assist with conducting food safety and analysis.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Open Gates businesses, products, and services.
• Perform bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests on raw and finished goods to meet quality compliance.
• Conduct product sampling at various points through the supply chain.
• Troubleshoot quality issues with Production and Quality personnel.
• Recommend changes or improvements to the laboratory procedures, plant inspections, process control, or cleaning and sanitizing programs.
• Enforce quality standards, GMPs, SOPs, and food safety plans.
• Aide in plant training requirements and training frequencies.
• Keep the Quality Manager informed of all quality results and issues.
• Work cross-functionally with leadership teams to determine product and production issues dispositions.
• Assist the Quality Manager in maintaining the Open Gates Safe Quality Food (SQF) program.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent is required. Associate or Bachelors Degree in a science-oriented field preferred.
• 1-5 years QA/QC background in a dairy/food lab or equivalent preferred.
• Service-oriented and able to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• Demonstrated follow-through skills and the ability to manage projects.
• Detail-oriented with efficient & accurate data entry skills.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Open to change, innovation, and process improvements.
• Team-oriented with a focus on working in a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to adhere to the Open Gates Guiding Principles and continually embrace personal and professional development.
• Able to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• Knowledge of sanitation procedures and product quality parameters.

Our Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, STD & LTD after 60 days of employment
• Matching 401k after 6 months
• Benefit Bonus/Stipend
• Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO) & Birthday PTO
• Opportunity for advancement!
• Discounted employee purchases!