Food Safety and Quality Assurance Specialist

Higher Taste is a local, family-owned food manufacturer specializing in Vegan and Vegetarian foods. We’re seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as a Quality Assurance Specialist! Join us as we fulfill our mission of bringing delicious food to the PNW and beyond! The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for maintaining the highest quality standards on a production team. The ideal candidate will help develop, protect, and audit all processes that may impact certain qualities. Providing top-notch monitoring to ensure that customers receive nothing but the very best.

Schedule:

Shift is Monday through Thursday with alternating Friday, 5:00 am - 2:00 pm or until daily production is complete. Start times could be earlier based on Production team timing.

Job Responsibilities included, but not limited to: ● Develops, implements, trains and manages processes to ensure that products meet required specifications for quality, function, and reliability prior to delivery. ● Identifies and sets appropriate quality standards and parameters for products. ● Communicates quality standards and parameters to QA team, product development team, and other appropriate staff. ● Coordinates product testing processes. ● Participates in product testing. ● Identifies and analyzes issues, bugs, defects, and other problems, particularly when problems recur in multiple products; recommends and facilitates solutions to these issues.

● Reviews client, customer, and user feedback.

● Maintains compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies

● Maintain open communication with Operations Manager and production Manager throughout the day

● Knowledge of food safety and quality control processes; Oversees food safety audit compliance process

● Ability to step into production roles when needed - willing to learn and execute all roles of production

Basic Qualifications:

● High school or equivalent (Preferred)

● 2 years in food production as Quality Assurance specialist

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills

● Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

● Time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

● Ability to perform basic math functions including addition, subtraction, multiplication & division

● Ability to be flexible in tasks, learn quickly and apply knowledge in a fast-paced environment

● Experience overseeing Food Safety/HACCP Plans

● PCQI Certified (Preferred)

● GMP Certified (Preferred)

● Knowledge of OSHA Safety policies

● Knowledge of Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc)

● Ability to communicate in English (Preferred Bilingual -Spanish)

Physical Requirements:

● Frequently required to stand and to reach with hands and arms

● Ability to lift up to 55 lbs

● Ability to spend work day standing, bending, & walking

● Must wear personal protective equipment (hairnet, smock, non-slip water resistant footwear and

gloves)

● Work in cold working environment

Pay and Benefits:

● Pay range is $23-25 per hour, DOE. Overtime pays time and a half

● After a 90-day period of employment we offer Sick pay

● After a 90-day period of employment we offer a stipend for health care benefits

● After a year of employment we offer Paid Vacation

● After a year of employment we offer an employer-matched retirement savings account

**We run background checks on candidates after a conditional job offer has been made.**

**Our facility is located in Cornelius, OR**

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Must Be Authorized To Work in the United States.

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Experience:

• Quality assurance: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Cornelius, OR 97113 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25