Food Safety Quality Assurance Technician

POSITION SUMMARY Position is an integral part of daily FSQA execution and has no direct reports. Accountable for coordinating and ensuring the FSQA programs designed to ensure the quality and food safety is consistent with established standards. Support QA Manager, liaison with production teams for program execution, cross trained in all areas relevant to FSQA team functionality. Supports production & QA personnel training for food safety & quality critical topics, investigation corrective actions for internal deviations and customer complaints. Trained in food safety & quality system management, HACCP, GMP and guarantees their correct application and improvement with team. Ensure execution of measures to guarantee finished products’ compliance with specifications are properly executed, coordinating activities following established guidelines, methods and assistance for complaints and investigations ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The responsibilities outlined are to help understand expectations of job but are not limited to below. The requirements listed are a guidance and are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job successfully. Other duties and projects will be assigned. Collaborate with the QA team and ensure that processes & programs for food safety and quality are understood, verified and maintained. Collaborate with techs to accomplish daily tasks on-time. Provide regular reporting on the performance of programs and teams along with any need for improvement. Oversee the hold log for addressing non-conformities and facilitate the disposition of nonconforming materials with the cross-functional team. Ensure hold are closed in timely manner after disposition is provided. Oversee the internal audit program – select internal audit personnel, review results of food safety audits, ensure that corrective actions are understood, and corrective actions are completed. Collaborate with QA Supervisor on corrections and ensuring corrective actions are implemented by production team. Participate in trace events to ensure adequate document effectiveness. Facilitate flow of communication between the tech team in reference to handover, overlap and task sharing. Responsible for managing sampling inventory and other tools needed by QA team for job performance. Manage the calibration process. Promote safety through personal conduct. Ensure that technicians are aware of and observe all plant safety policies, MSDS's for all chemicals used in the facility and other administrative and engineering safety controls. Report unsafe conditions in a timely manner. Set an example of leadership by assisting in the ongoing coaching, development and training of techs performing quality and food safety tasks. Provide coaching and feedback when errors occur. Provide expertise and resources for technicians. Regularly audit techs who perform on floor checks for competency and adherence to written programs and guidelines. Assist FSQA Supervisor to ensure performance and progress of the QA techs. May need to assist technicians in daily function as needed and share expertise. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Works in collaboration with key stakeholders’ production, warehouse and maintenance, R&D to ensure and improve food safety and quality of finished products. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT QA tech is responsible for initiating and driving their learning and building knowledge. Listen & communicate effectively Team player React well under pressure Problem Solving/Analysis Provide vision and inspiration to peers and teammates Showcase strong organizational skills, time management and attention to detail QUALIFICATIONS Associate’s degree in bioscience or food science, preferred Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in quality assurance in a food manufacturing environment. HACCP certification preferred ***Shift regularly begins at 4:00 AM per role requirements.*** Pay: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour Benefits: 401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance Application Question(s): Ability to work Saturdays as needed Available to regularly begin shift at 4:00 AM License/Certification: HACCP Certification (Preferred) Shift availability: Day Shift (Preferred) Ability to Commute: Chicago, IL (Required) Work Location: In person