QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN - HOOPESTON, IL SUMMARY: Performs standardized tests to ensure product complies with company, customer, and government specifications and requirements by performing assigned duties. In general, to assist the QA department to ensure all quality and Food Safety & Food Quality related programs and procedures are met. RESPONSIBILITIES: Monitors production lines to ensure the product is within specification and all critical control points and critical quality points are met. If deviation occurs, a corrective action must be taken. Check all can codes prior to production, during production, and after any code change. Verify all scales prior to startup with certified weights and record data. Verify the salt meters in and record data prior to start up. Verify the refractometer and record data prior to start-up. Verify handheld NIST-certified thermometers and record data. Check Bostwick at the start of running refried beans and at every changeover. Set up cans daily for Peco checks. Print and pass out production schedules. Print shop orders, batch sheets, and bean inventory for next-day production. Hourly checks of can codes and visual seams. Check and change freezer and cooler charts at the beginning of each production week. Daily cutting of product ran on the previous day along with product cutting report. Daily GMP check and document any findings on the Daily GMP Checklist. Verify incoming raw material trucks. Review daily lab paperwork and report any deviations. Gather and organize daily production paperwork for review by the Quality Assurance Manager. Review daily packaging activity recap papers with final grade, holds, and disposition of product and quantity. Complete all sample requests Prepare first production samples for customers. Verify labels, inkjet on top of cans (best by), print on trays and shrink wrap when needed. Ability and willingness to learn and troubleshoot lab equipment/instruments such as moisture, salt, pH, scales, tenderometer, pressure gauges, Bostwick, and an Adenosine Triphosphate monitor. Perform all sanitation, food safety, and food quality inspections prior to startup of each production day. Assists in production when there are quality issues. Perform attribute grading, hourly, on all products coming out of the cooker and input data into MES/CDC. Along with salt reading, tenderometer, and moisture of bean, for each sample pulled. Collect and retain samples of daily production and store them for future reference. Verify metal detectors. Monitors the Process Technician with fill/net weights and assists when necessary. Assist the Distribution Manager when quality issues are discovered. Bringing can samples back to the Closing Machine Mechanic and Double Seam Technician to visually check and/or tear down. Pulling records to see of any issues. Assist the Distribution Manager with QA checks in distribution when the Distribution QA Technician is not available. Assists with any heat penetration tests being done by thermal process authority when on site. Assist R&D with new production sampling and testing. Grade all pre-sample beans. Grade all truck sample beans. Input all pre-samples and truck samples into the computer such as moisture, defects, discoloration, and insect damage. Test all sauce for brix and salt, prior to running each batch. Verify at startup and changeover that the sauce room is using the correct ingredients for the sauce and sign off on each batch sheet. Responsible for logging correct and accurate data for all testing done on production runs. Proficient with computers and has the ability to use Microsoft Office and enter data into software such as Deacom and MES/CDC. Maintain and file all records according to company policy Work with management to ensure accurate information is being documented in the production of the products and assist with Food Safety and quality-related issues. Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures on safety, GMPs, and SQF. For guidelines and specific procedures on how to perform tasks, refer to Standard Operating Procedures. In-house label review before labels used on labeling lines. Ship samples via Enveyo. Document loss destruction forms with pictures. Make supervisors aware of the loss. Perform gluten testing and record all data. Complete soak sheets when the Inventory Clerk is unavailable. Other duties as needed & assigned by the QA Manager and/or Quality System Manager. REQUIREMENTS: Ability to make decisions. Ability to work with managerial, clerical, production, and maintenance personnel. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence legibly. Must be able to speak and read English. Must have a High School Diploma or GED. Ability to understand and carry out instructions with little direction. Must have computer skills. Must carry out “Good Manufacturing Practices” to ensure a safe and clean work environment. ‎ WHY TEASDALE?: Day One - Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits Day One Accrual of Sick Time 401(k) Retirement Plan with Matching Contributions at 60 Days Career Growth Opportunities and Professional Development Are you passionate about making a difference every single day, being a part of a growing team, and transforming your job into a career? Come join us at Teasdale Latin Foods! We are our people! We love food. Especially Mexican Food. Because of this passion, Teasdale Latin Foods understands that our people make a difference daily. Our employees are committed and excited to apply their expertise every day. From Manufacturing and R&D to Customer Service and Finance, all disciplines collaborate and strive for "Everyday Great Execution." In partnership with our Mission, Vision, and Operating Principles: we define our People Principles as living "LATIN" (Learning, Accountability, Teamwork, Innovation, and Nurturing), which is how our organization will ensure we always make the right decisions for our people and the company. If that sounds good to you, search through our openings below, and let's talk.