Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Technician

Nielsen Massey Vanillas I•Waukegan, IL

38d•$22 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

At Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, we are dedicated to producing the world’s finest vanillas and pure flavor extracts. The QA Technician plays a critical role in upholding this legacy of premium quality and food safety. Operating directly on the production floor and in the laboratory during the first Shift, you will monitor, verify, and document day-to-day food safety practices. Your keen attention to detail ensures that every bottle leaves our facility in strict compliance with safety regulations, product specifications, and company standards.

Requirements

High School Diploma with Quality Assurance Experience in Food manufacturing is a must.
Minimum 5 years of Quality Assurance or Quality Control experience within a food or beverage manufacturing environment, or 1-2 years experience with a degree.
Proven familiarity with GMPs, HACCP principles, and general food safety regulations.
Strict attention to detail and a highly analytical mindset.
Ability to professionally communicate quality deviations to production supervisors and floor staff.
Ability to stand and walk on the manufacturing floor for long periods and lift up to 30 lbs.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally in a global business environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors Degree in Food Science or similar preferred.
Preferred certifications include HACCP and or PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual).
Experience performing basic laboratory testing and using standard lab equipment.
Bilingual English and Spanish

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive pre-operational and post-operational facility inspections to guarantee optimal sanitary conditions before and after production runs.
Conduct basic laboratory testing on raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods to ensure adherence to quality and purity specifications.
Conduct routine Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audits on the floor and monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs) to ensure full HACCP program compliance.
Execute systematic label checks, package integrity inspections, and weight/volume verifications to prevent defects and cross-contamination.
Perform sanitation checks and execute the facility's environmental monitoring program through routine swabbing.
Conduct thorough record checks of production logs, instrument calibrations, and quality paperwork to maintain meticulous traceability.
Identify and place out-of-specification or non-conforming materials on QA Hold status, assisting the FSQA Supervisor with root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
Close cooperation with the Regulatory, Sustainability, Procurement, R and D and Operations, and Marketing teams to prepare for and implement upcoming supplier requirements to ensure seamless transition.
Performs other related duties as assigned.