Join our fast-growing family of companies! Open Gates Group is an entrepreneurial family of companies located near Kalona, Iowa that supports the growth and manufacturing of local, organic dairy products. Our companies help source, produce, sell & transport Midwestern products nationwide. We're looking for a Quality Food Safety Technician to join our team!

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

Job Duties

• Work collaboratively with the Quality team to conduct testing, including bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests on raw and finished goods at Kalona Creamery.
• Prepare product samples for external lab testing.
• Work collaboratively with production members and the Quality team to create and train on new SOPs and SSOPs.
• Obtain HACCP and PCQI certifications within the first 60 days.
• Performs and oversees the internal audit program at Kalona Creamery and Kalona Farms.
• Review and verify production paperwork at Kalona Creamery.
• Work collaboratively with OG team members to troubleshoot quality issues and/or process improvement activities.
• Complete daily product release log.
• Enforce quality standards, GMP’s, SOP’s and food safety plans at Kalona Creamery and Kalona Farms.
• Aide in new hire training for GMPs and chemical safety.
• Assist in creating training videos for production processes.
• Inform Quality Manager and Plant Manager of all quality results and issues.
• Actively participate in initiatives and investigations to improve products and processes related to quality, food safety and consistency.
• Other duties as requested.

Requirements

• High school or Associates Degree in a science related technical field preferred.
• 1-3 years working experience in laboratory environments and knowledge of GMP and Quality systems preferred.
• Attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Self-starter and able to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and knowledge of basic math.
• Able to handle and communicate quality-related issues with a sense of urgency.
• Passion and alignment with our mission, vision, values & operating principles.
• Passion for working in a values based company in alignment with a learning organization.
• Willing to embrace personal and professional development while staying on top of industry trends.

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!
• Unique, entrepreneurial culture!

Our Mission and Guiding Principles:

We successfully create value and enhance lives by attending to how we do business!

We Treat People Right; We Think Like Entrepreneurs; We Offer a Great Place to Work; We Build Strong Relationships; We Create a Place to Learn & Improve Life in Our Community

Interested?

Check out our website and apply! https://www.opengatesgroup.com/careers/

If you have a passion for problem solving with a servant-minded attitude, join our team!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 2 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• Food Processing Plant
• In-person
• Manufacturing facility
• Office

Work Location: In person