What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Quality Control Lead Technician! position at Cascade Coffee, LLC?
What does it take to create 1.7 BILLION cups of coffee a year?
Ask Cascade Coffee!
We are excited to announce that we are hiring a collaborative Quality Control Lead Technician!
For more than 45 years Cascade Coffee has been the premier specialty coffee contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in roasting, grinding, flavoring, and packaging coffee, catering to the world’s finest coffee brands worldwide. Cascade works behind the scenes to provide innovation, world-class coffee roasting, and a wide variety of packaging options to highlight their loyal customer’s brands.
Founded in 1977, the company operates from a 150,000 square foot manufacturing and roasting facility, more than 2 million pounds of green coffee storage facility, 50 million pounds annually of coffee roasting capacity as well as multiple roasting lines, flavor mixing systems and 14 automated packaging lines.
Why Cascade?
We offer a unique blend of benefits for you and your family!
WAGE RANGE (NON-EXEMPT): $22.00 - $26.00 DOE
REPORTS TO: Quality Control Supervisor
- Healthcare benefits | Multiple coverage levels of medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401k Roth or Pre-Tax options | $1 for $1 match and once eligible to enroll, ZERO vesting period
- Long Term Disability and life insurance | Company provides coverage for all
- Voluntary Life, Disability, Accident & Critical Illness | Various insurance programs are offered to support your needs
- Employee Assistance Program | To support you and your family’s overall wellbeing to achieve your best and most productive self
- Sick and Vacation plans | Cascade understands the vital importance of a quality work/life balance
- Pet insurance | Multiple coverage levels for whatever best suits your furry (or not so furry) friend
- Cascade Cares | Exciting engagement programs each month
- Leadership Training | We invest in and dedicate time to training some of the best leaders in the industry
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Quality Control (QC) Lead Technician is an integral part of the quality control team and will function as an internal and external auditor for the facility based on company requirements. The lead technician interfaces directly with the QC Supervisor on all quality control and compliance issues and assesses compliance with quality standards and initiatives. This requires working closely with the production department.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Administer Cascade policies and procedures and carry out personnel objectives and programs within the Quality Assurance department.
- Coordinates with Quality and Production Supervisors on various quality issues
- Conducts daily plant inspections for any GMP/Product Protection violations.
- Assists production in filling out all necessary QC paperwork.
- Performs sensory evaluation on raw materials and finished product.
- Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues utilizing quality tools (cause and effect, process mapping, statistical methods, etc.) to document corrective actions effectively.
- Regular reporting of measures that communicate process outputs relative to Quality metrics and customer requirements/specifications.
- Develop and document standards in compliance with good manufacturing practices, government entities, and production plans (e.g., USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, Organic, Kosher, etc.). Ensure compliance with all regulatory mandates.
- Audit production processes and the food Safety and Quality Management system. Record, document, and evaluate consistency with the customer.
- Responsible for collecting all required samples for customers and external laboratory testing.
- Coordinate testing of in-process materials according to a regular/randomized schedule to aid quality control efforts.
- Monitor defined checks/tests to ensure product conformance before releasing the product out of site control.
- Monitor coffee operations quality checks, including Roasting, Grinding, and Flavoring procedures.
- Perform laboratory testing according to customer specifications, including, but not limited to, moisture testing, caffeine testing, and whole bean breakage testing.
- Upholds and provides safe, high-quality, consistent products, and superior services that anticipate, meet or exceed the requirements of our customers.
- Collect foreign material collections and record findings in appropriate software.
- Supports Cascade Coffee’s Food Safety Culture by adhering to all company policies and procedures and by following proper protocol when a Food Safety risk is identified.
- Attend all shift huddles (pre- and post- shift).
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices and other quality-related policies to ensure product quality standards are met.
- Train, supervise and delegate tasks to QC Technician employees.
- Conducts new employee safety and facility tours.
- Maintains a hands-on approach to management and is present and available to employees.
- Oversee the activities of Technicians and all other non-management personnel and oversee temporary workers as assigned.
- Maintains a direct approach to management and is present as well as available to employees.
- Motivates employees and directs their day-to-day activities.
- Counsel employees on job performance issues as necessary and inspire employees to attain the goals developed for each job function.
Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SQF Level 2 standards, Food Safety and Quality programs.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge and experience in using Microsoft products (e.g., Office 365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Ability to work with lab equipment, such as moisture meters, brewers, grinders, Agtron, Malvern, and Mocon instruments.
- Self-motivation, ability to work independently and within a team environment, strong follow-up, organization, prioritization, and attention to detail are required.
- Ability to work under pressure (in a highly fast-paced environment), meet deadlines (overtime work required), and make effective decisions.
- HACCP certified.
- Associate’s degree or equivalent preferred.
- Minimum 2 years of practical industry experience is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- This position is inside a warehouse roasting facility, where workers are exposed to loud equipment noise, coffee dust, and strong odors.
- Personal protection equipment and other Good Manufacturing Practices are mandatory.
- This position may support work in the facility that requires standing on concrete floors, exposed to equipment noise, and subject to coffee dust odors.
WORK HABITS:
- Regular attendance and promptness are required for this position.
- Work may be required outside the standard workweek.
- This job requires a high degree of teamwork skills.
- This job requires the ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
Cascade coffee is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We celebrate our differences because we believe diversity drives innovation and leads to sustainable success. We recruit, hire and promote our partners based on capability and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Salary : $22 - $26
