Quality Assurance Technician/QA Specialist

Wage: Salaried Exempt

Location:  Oak Park, Michigan

Job Overview: The Quality Assurance Technician plays a critical role in monitoring food safety and product quality throughout the facility. This position works closely with Production on the plant floor to ensure quality system programs are executed as designed and that GFSI requirements are followed. The QA Technician supports the QA department and Plant Management in identifying food safety or quality concerns, implementing corrective actions, and monitoring follow-up activities. This role also provides back-up support for other QA team members as needed.

·       Conduct pre-operational and operational inspections in the plant.

·       Support in-plant oversight of product safety, regulatory compliance, and quality systems.

·       Assist with implementing and enforcing food safety and quality programs, including BRCGS, HACCP,

EMP, allergen control, supplier approval, and test-and-hold programs.

·       Monitor plant compliance with internal standards, external standards, customer requirements, and

corporate expectations.

·       Identify, tag with QC HOLD, and report non-compliant areas and products.

·       Conduct product sampling and coordinate shipment to the laboratory for microbiological testing.

·       Track estimated result timing and report updates and results to QA, Customer Service, and the

Warehouse Manager.

·       Conduct allergen swabbing.

·       Conduct environmental sampling and record and report EMP results and trends.

·       Participate in end-of-day production checks.

·       Review production schedules for allergen and quality-related changeovers.

·       Review production run sheets and batching paperwork for completion and accuracy and notify

Production and QA supervision of any issues.

·       Conduct internal, pre-Kosher, and pre-audit inspections; identify opportunities for improvement; and

monitor corrective action implementation.

·       Conduct validation activities.

·       Participate in root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action processes.

·       Assist with the development of new product specifications, procedures, and QA documentation that

meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and company standards.

·       Perform all other duties as assigned by management.

·       Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field preferred.

·       HACCP certification preferred.

·       1–3 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.

·       Working knowledge of FDA regulations, HACCP, GMPs, and food safety systems.

·       Experience with nutritional, IMS, and customer platforms or software preferred.

Core Competencies

·       Strong work ethic and effective time management skills.

·       Effective communication skills across all levels of the organization, from the production floor to

management.

·       Detail-oriented with strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

·       Ability to manage a fast-paced environment, adapt to change, and support continuous improvement.

·       Ability and willingness to taste-test products that may contain major U.S. allergens.

·       Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

·       Ability to pass a national background check and drug screening.