Quality Inspection Tech 1st Shift

Airlite Plastics is a premier, privately held, family-owned manufacturer headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Our family style and personal culture is what makes Airlite an amazing place to grow and build a successful career. Airlite's company values of unquestionable integrity and respect and appreciation for each other are at the core of our success! These values set a strong foundation to build on where we can 'wow' our customers with innovative products and sustainable solutions, and continuously improve our processes and efficiencies.

Our product lines include rigid plastic containers and lids for food packaging and cosmetics, dry powder scoops, plastic drink cups, shipping containers, industrial strength insulated concrete forms (ICF) and sustainable permeable paving systems. As pioneers in our industry, focused on sustainable solutions, we strive to provide our customers with top-notch service and quality, which aligns with our award-winning products.

How would you contribute?

This role is a contributing member of our team, located in Lakeville, Minnesota. As a Quality Inspection Techyou are a key to continued growth and success of Airlite. This role is responsible for ensuring the quality and compliance of plastic products. This role involves inspecting materials, monitoring the production process, testing products, and documenting quality standards. Working closely with production, quality control, and management, the Quality Inspection Technician helps uphold safety, performance, and regulatory standards to meet industry and customer specifications.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Perform routine inspections on raw materials, in-process, and finished products to verify they meet quality specifications.
• Use testing equipment (e.g., calipers, micrometers, scales, and spectrophotometers) to measure dimensions, thickness, color, strength, and other quality attributes.
• Conduct functional tests on food packaging products, including physical and microbial tests, to ensure safety and durability.
• Monitor and record data from production processes to ensure that machinery and equipment operate within quality standards.
• Communicate with production staff to address any issues impacting product quality, such as machine adjustments, temperature settings, or material inconsistencies.
• Identify and report any deviations from established quality standards, stop production when necessary to prevent defects.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of inspections, tests, and production results.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 22000, FDA, HACCP, SQF, and other applicable guidelines).
• Participate in internal and external quality audits, assisting in the preparation of audit materials and documentation as required.
• Work with quality and production teams to suggest improvements for processes, materials, and equipment to enhance product quality.
• Contribute to root-cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Follow safety guidelines and maintain a clean and organized work area in compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
• Handle materials safely, including raw plastics, finished products, and testing chemicals.
• Crosstrain in core duties of Lab Technician.
• Provide backup to the SQF practitioner.
• Maintains company attendance standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Do you have what it takes? Airlite Plastics is a versatile employer; complacency is not one of our strengths! We work hard each day to ensure that equipment efficiency and customer satisfaction never leave our line of sight. Successful candidates for the role will possess the following:

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Familiarity with food-grade plastics, regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA standards), and quality management systems
• Proficiency with inspection tools and software for quality documentation.
• Capability to utilize problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership and training skills
• Must be able to work well with others, build partnerships and support team members
• Able to utilize interpersonal and communication skills in daily work
• Must be self-motivated and positive
• Flexible and adaptable
• Display highest ethical standards
• Detail oriented, with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Upholds and supports organizational goals and Core Values
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Takes initiative and asks for help when needed

Education / Experience / Certifications:

• Associate's degree (AA) or equivalent; a technical degree or certification in Quality Control, Plastics Technology, or a related field is a plus.
• 2 years of experience in quality control/inspection in the plastics or an FDA/food packaging industry.
• Internal Auditing experience a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hand dexterity to operate office equipment including computer keyboards; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the office work environment is typically quiet; when visiting the production floor the noise level may be loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Our Core Values Drive Us!

• Do you conduct yourself with unquestionable integrity?
• Do you demonstrate respect and appreciation for those around you?
• Are you innovative and strive to challenge the status quo?
• Do you strive for continuous improvement and to deliver the "wow" factor?
• Do you care about environmentally sustainable solutions?
• Do you take meaning and pride in a job well done?

What's in it for you? As a Full-Time employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Company paid life insurance
• Company paid short term disability
• Generous 401k match
• Generous Time OffAnnual company activities