Quality Assurance Specialist

Position Summary

The QA Technician supports the Quality Manager in maintaining the company's food safety and quality programs by carrying out daily inspections, verifications, monitoring activities, record review, and routine follow-up tasks.

This position supports the Quality Manager in carrying out daily inspection, verification, documentation, and follow-up responsibilities, helping maintain the effective execution of quality and food safety programs throughout the facility.

The QA Technician plays a hands-on role in incoming material inspections, in-process checks, finished product verification, documentation review, retain organization, sanitation verification, EMP support, label and coding checks, and general food safety monitoring throughout the facility.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesIncoming Material and Product Verification

· Perform incoming inspections on raw materials, packaging, and labels to verify compliance with approved specifications and company requirements. Compare incoming materials against approved retain samples when directed.

· Review incoming documentation such as COAs, lot codes, date codes, and item information for completeness and accuracy.

· Notify the Quality Manager of any damaged, questionable, non-conforming, or out-of-spec materials.

· Assist with holding, identifying, and documenting materials pending review or disposition.

In-Process and Finished Product Checks

· Conduct routine in-process quality checks during production, including product appearance, packaging, weight, coding, seal integrity, label accuracy, and general conformance to finished goods specs.

· Verify work order information, lot numbers, product identity, and packaging components during production runs.

· Escalate any deviations, defects, or documentation errors to the Quality Manager promptly.

EMP and Food Safety Monitoring Support

· Assist with environmental monitoring program tasks, including swab collection, sample labeling, submission preparation, and recordkeeping as assigned.

· Help maintain EMP logs, testing records, trend data, and follow-up documentation.

· Support ATP, allergen, and pre-op or post-sanitation verification activities.

· Report any food safety concerns or abnormal findings immediately.

Sanitation and GMP Verification

· Conduct GMP, housekeeping, and operational inspections throughout the facility.

· Verify sanitation completion and support pre-operational inspections before production starts.

· Assist with monitoring sanitation effectiveness through visual inspections, ATP swabs, allergen checks, and supporting documentation.

· Communicate sanitation issues, missed items, or re-clean needs to the Quality Manager.

Retain and Specification Support

· Organize and maintain retain samples for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods.

· Ensure retains are properly labeled, stored, rotated, and accessible for review.

· Support the Quality Manager with specification checks, item verification, and document organization.

· Assist in verifying labels, packaging materials, and product setup against approved specifications.

Documentation and Recordkeeping

· Complete quality records accurately, neatly, and on time.

· Review production, sanitation, and quality records for completeness and accuracy.

· File, organize, and maintain quality and food safety documents in an audit-ready condition.

· Help track non-conformances, corrective actions, inspections, swab results, and routine verification records.

· Assist in preparing documents and records for audits, customer requests, and internal review.

General QA Department Support

· Support the Quality Manager with daily follow-up tasks, routine inspections, sample pulls, product checks, and administrative quality work.

· Assist with investigations into product, foreign material, non conformances (internal & external), sanitation, or documentation issues.

· Help monitor compliance with SOPs, GMPs, HACCP, SQF, sanitation, and company quality procedures.

· Communicate observations clearly and professionally to the Quality Manager and applicable departments.

· Help maintain order, consistency, and accountability in daily quality operations.

· Perform other related duties as assigned to support the Quality and Food Safety department.

Qualifications

· Minimum 1-3 years of experience in a food manufacturing, quality assurance, sanitation, or related environment preferred.

· Experience in candy, nuts, trail mix, seeds, or dry food manufacturing is a plus.

· Basic understanding of food safety, GMPs, sanitation, and quality checks preferred.

· Ability to follow procedures, complete records accurately, and identify issues needing escalation.

· Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

· Ability to work independently on routine tasks and as part of a team.

· Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

· Bilingual in English and Spanish required.

Skills and Competencies

· Strong attention to detail.

· Good written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong organizational and follow-through skills.

· Basic problem-solving ability.

· Ability to read and compare specifications, labels, lot codes, and records.

· Ability to prioritize daily tasks and support multiple departments.

· Proficient in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Programs.

· Sage experience is a plus.

· Willingness to learn and adapt

Physical Requirements

· Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.

· Ability to work in production, warehouse, and sanitation environments.

· Ability to lift samples, boxes, or materials as needed.

· Ability to bend, reach, and perform repetitive inspection tasks.

Pay: $19.00 - $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $25