Quality Assurance Technician

Join our amazing family of professionals at Sigma! We believe in truly taking care of our associates to ensure they feel empowered to be their best selves at work. You are not just applying for a job, this is the start of a new career with a fast-growing, innovative global food organization. Ready for your next opportunity? Come join our table!

POSITION SUMMARY

The QA Technician ensures GMPs, SSOPs, and other SOPs are implemented correctly during production and cleaning operations. They are responsible for overseeing the quality of raw materials, in-process products, and finished products and reporting quality indicators to the QA lab Lead and/or QA Manager. Los Altos Food Products LLC has implemented an SQF System where the Safety and Quality program is described to be followed by the organization to ensure that everyone in the organization meets the specifications. The program has SOP, sampling procedures, etc. The QA Technician must follow these procedures during their jobs for sampling, analysis, and results; it is imperative to communicate to the Lab Lead and/or QA Manager any specification unmet or out of specification to correct the deviation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conduct thorough quality assessments of incoming materials, in process samples and finished products to ensure compliance with established specifications. Examples of materials to be assessed include raw milk (for antibiotics), raw cream, and pasteurized milk (for Phosphatase). Critical quality parameters (CQPs) to be monitored for pasteurized cream include phosphatase levels, texture, flavor, and color.
• Collect samples of in-process and finished products at appropriate intervals throughout the production day for laboratory analysis and retention purposes.
• Perform environmental sampling as per the Environmental Monitoring Program, including ATP and sponge swab testing and air plates at the required frequency
• Collect samples for the hand swabbing program.
• Perform calibration of thermometers, pipettors, and other lab equipment, including scales and Foss Instruments, as needed.
• Continuously monitor lab results and update databases to ensure they remain current and relevant.
• Notify the lab lead and QA manager immediately of any nonconformities or instances where specifications are not met.
• Prepare materials necessary for daily production, such as Potassium sorbate, Natamycin solution, etc.
• Help maintain the cleanliness of the lab and the lab lab refrigerator.
• Will be cross-trained to serve as QC tech backup when needed.
• Other duties as assigned by QA lab Lead and/or QA Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1 years of experience in a quality control laboratory environment
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and procedures
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual-English and Spanish

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA’s)

• MATHEMATICS ABILITY: Able to perform very simple algebra.
• Communication Skills: Good communication skills with co-workers and immediate supervisor.
• REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply logical thinking.

ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Will be exposed to refrigerated rooms under 45 F
• Some areas within production are loud
• May stand for long periods of time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Regularly required to stand, use hands and fingers in a repetitive motion.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and reach above the head.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl and talk or hear.
• The employee is required to lift a minimum of ten (10) lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals and fumes or airborne particles.
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from normal office levels to loud factory / warehouse levels.

COMPENSATION

·$19.91-$21.67 per hour, depending on geography, skills, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

BENEFITS

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, 10 days paid time off, paid parental leave, paid holidays, & state mandated sick time, if applicable

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Sigma provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Sigma complies with applicable federal, state and locals’ laws, including fair employment practices and equal employment opportunity when conducting recruiting and hiring, governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• food and safety: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $22