FSQ Technician

Job Description

*Hiring for 3rd shift: M-F 10PM-6:30AM

This role is vital in monitoring, supporting, and ensuring compliance with food safety and quality requirements daily. The FSQ Technician leads by example in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for others and works cohesively as part of a team to drive improvements in food safety and quality, demonstrating a willingness to take on new challenges and learn new things.

Excellent team culture and working environment that offers opportunity for long-term employment and growth!

Responsibilities

• Ensure both food safety and quality of the products and processes regularly.
• Perform physical inspections and analytical testing for food safety and quality, including color, pH, seal integrity, temperature, date code, X-ray monitoring, weight checks, label accuracy, allergens, and cleanliness.
• Document all food safety and quality checks as required.
• Ensure all stakeholders follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), good housekeeping, and company policies and procedures.
• Perform hold and release of products after thorough review and assessment for food safety and quality, providing feedback and guidance for corrective actions when non-conformance issues are found.
• Conduct pre-operation inspection of line equipment and processing environment at the start of shift or during line changeover, including environment testing such as ATP and allergen tests.
• Collect retain samples from the production line and perform product evaluation at the end of product shelf life.
• Perform proper calibration of laboratory equipment by set frequency and recordkeeping.
• Act as a key monitor for reinforcing GMPs throughout plant and warehouse facilities, performing direct GMP observations and addressing discrepancies with appropriate departments.
• Reinforce GMPs during operation hours and lead by example.
• Perform GMP inspections of areas within the facility and communicate findings and actions taken to address GMP issues.
• Support in the preparation of all third-party audits such as FDA, USDA, Organic, SQF, or other schemes as well as customers’ audits.
• Audit food safety and quality records documented by operators.
• Seek ways to make improvements to internal processes, documentation, and knowledge transfer, maintaining laboratory and work areas organized.
• Identify opportunities to improve current methods and processes and make recommendations to FSQ Manager.
• Act as backup for FSQ lead and other FSQ team members in their absence.
• Assist in new hire and refresher trainings for food safety- and quality-related topics.
• Assist in mock-recalls and mock-product withdrawal sessions.
• Assist the FSQ Department in continuous improvement efforts and follow up on corrective action implementation.
• Assist with special in-plant or lab projects as directed.

Essential Skills

• Knowledge in food science and food safety.
• Proficiency in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Bachelor Degree in Food Science Preferred
• OR 2+ years working in a food manufacturing environment
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks with hands and arms.
• Ability to use laboratory equipment and instruments.

Work Environment

The FSQ Technician will primarily work in a food lab/kitchen environment. The work environment may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, requiring adherence to safety protocols and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. The shift starts at 10 PM, with flexibility needed to cover weekend shifts as required. Scheduled workdays are Monday through Friday, with Saturdays dependent on production needs. The work conditions vary, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in processing departments. Exposure to potentially dangerous machinery and equipment, including electrical, mechanical, and chemical hazards, is present in the plant. The noise level is high and constant, and floors are damp and slick. The role requires frequent standing, lifting, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, smelling, listening, speaking, and seeing to perform essential duties. Close visual acuity is needed to view computer terminals, analyze reports, manage data, and detail.