Job Title: QA Technician Location: Denver
Department: QA/Food Safety

Reports to: QA Manager

Primary Work Location: Production Floor/Cold Room Environment
Essential Job Duties:

• Responsible for monitoring in-process and finished product to ensure compliance to established specifications and temperature requirements.
• Monitoring labels to ensure they meet regulatory requirements including tare weights, UPC codes, legibility, establishment number, pricing and correct product identification.
• Monitor incoming ingredients for compliance to established visual and temperature requirements.
• Monitor finished product weights on stated weight products.
• Monitor finished product coding and packaging.
• Monitor tri-gas mixtures on finished product.
• Monitoring package seals.
• Performing in-process and finished product quality checks.
• Communicating to leads and supervisors when product is out of specification with increased monitoring or holding of product until the defect is corrected or reworked.
• Monitoring and recording shelf life results.
• Aseptic sampling of ground beef products for microbiological testing.
• Pre-operational sanitation inspections.
• Assist in enforcing plant wide compliance to GMP’s and employee safety rules.
• Must know job requirements for all positions on assigned production line(s).
• Accurately complete required daily paperwork.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to speak, read, and write English
• Strong attention to details
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a production environment
• The ability to attend work on time with few absences
• Ability to instruct and lead effectively
• Ability to make quick and decisive decisions; good judgment and common sense required
• Good math skills
• Ability to follow instruction
• Display strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Adaptable and dependable with ability to follow direction and work in cooperation with others
• Ability to read, understand and follow SOP’s (standard operating procedures)
• Must maintain a helpful and professional attitude and appearance
• QA experience preferred

Training and licenses

• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
• Knowledge of SQF (safe quality foods) systems

 Physical Requirements:

• Standing, walking, bending, lifting, stooping, crouching, kneeling intermittently
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Ability to work in a cold environment

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization; these duties are considered marginal.
Empire is an equal opportunity employer.
EOE/Vets/DisabilitiesThe Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct a drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. It is a job expectation that all new employees have, at minimum, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in advance of their first date of employment. If you need assistance in obtaining a vaccine, the Company can help schedule you with one of its healthcare partners following a conditional job offer, if one is made. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

• Local 7 UFCW Membership
• Union Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage after 1 year;
• Paid sick leave and paid vacation after 1 year
• 401(k) w/Employer matching 
• Hourly rate DOE (Step 1 $16.07, Step 2 $17.38, Step 3 $19.01, Thereafter $20.99)