What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Technician position at LaClare Creamery?
Launch your career at LaClare Family Creamery! We are looking for a dependable, self-motivated Quality Assurance (QA) Technician to support our 1st shift team. Hours : Monday - Friday 7 : 00am-3 : 00pm. Overtime as needed. FULL Time & FULL Benefits starting at $23 / hour.
Experience (2 years) in QA specific to food production is preferred, but on-the-job training will be provided. Growth opportunities, including assistance in obtaining your cheesemaker license, are available!
Reports to : Food Safety & Quality Manager
Overall Responsibilities : To perform all necessary duties to ensure compliance of food safety program and provide support to production teams to produce the highest quality products possible; gathering and aseptically preparing samples for lab testing; completing weekly swab samples in accordance with environmental monitoring program; evaluating shelf life of finished product; conducting various audits; and exercise leadership and advocacy for food safety and the implementation of all food safety programs and policies.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities :
- Work with interdepartmental team members to ensure all aspects of the Food Safety Plan and Program are understood and implemented. This includes but is not limited to the following responsibilities :
- Lab testing : Gathering and preparing samples for microbiological testing, PH testing and chemistry, accurately documenting, and reviewing results.
- Swabbing : Conducting weekly sponge swab samples, water samples and air plate samples in accordance with environmental monitoring program.
- Shelf-life study : Evaluate finished product throughout shelf life for organoleptic characteristics as well as conduct additional microbiological testing.
- Laboratory supplies : Technician will be responsible for monitoring inventory of laboratory supplies and placing items on biweekly ordering list when necessary.
- Temperature monitoring : Monitor and record temperatures for warehouse coolers, culture freezers, incubators, and thawing room.
- Calibrations : Responsible for daily scale and PH meter, oxygen sensor and other lab equipment calibration checks as well as monthly lacticheck calibrations.
- Air flow monitoring
- Chemical inventory : Maintain chemical inventory for testing chemicals and sanitation chemicals.
- Audits : Complete and assist with internal and regulatory audits.
- Problem Solving : Participate in root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and disposition.
- Documentation and Follow Up : As required by food safety program assist in monitoring and reviewing all food safety documentation. Ensure all tasks and information are accurately being completed. Complete corrective actions and root cause analysis as needed.
- Food Safety : Must exercise leadership and advocacy for food safety and quality programs, must follow and implement all food safety programs and policies.
- Sanitation : Individual will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness of analytical and microbiological laboratories.
- Daily sensory : Conduct sensory analysis on all products that were produced the previous day.
- Research and Development : Assist Food Safety & Quality Manager in realization of new product development.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills & Attributes :
Training Requirements :
Salary : $23