Burke - FSQ Relief Technician 3rd Shift

Hormel Foods Family of Companies•Nevada, IA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The FSQ Relief Technician supports Quality and Food Safety programs, with a primary focus on third-shift sanitation verification, pre-operational inspections, environmental monitoring, and confirming that equipment and production areas meet food safety requirements before start-up. The technician works closely with Sanitation while conducting independent FSQ verification, identifying deficiencies, communicating findings, verifying corrective actions, and documenting results. The role also provides backup support for FSQ Lead Technicians, FSQ Technicians, and the FSQ Clerk. It includes reviewing records for programs such as Product Holds, Formulation and Label Verification, Foreign Material Prevention, SOPs, SSOPs, and HACCP, as well as applicable data entry. Sound judgment is required when interpreting program requirements and responding when food safety or quality requirements are not met. The position performs sanitation and pre-operational checks, coordinates environmental pathogen monitoring, monitors food quality and process controls, reviews documentation, and supports audits and communication across FSQ, Sanitation, Production, and other departments. It may involve working with USDA, consultants, and auditors, and handling confidential company information and trade secrets. The role is based in a plant environment. The schedule is third shift, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., with availability for flexible third-shift hours and occasional alternate shifts. Work may be split between desk work (approximately 20%) and plant work (approximately 80%), depending on coverage and production needs. The position requires standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, lifting up to 50 pounds, and climbing ladders and stepping up and down. Plant conditions include temperatures from -10°F in freezers to over 100°F in oven rooms; high noise, CO2, humidity, electrical and mechanical hazards; wet or greasy floors; and possible frost or ice. Fall-protection training and operation of a scissors lift are required for inspections and sampling in elevated areas.

Requirements

Must not now or in the future require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Demonstrated pattern of dependability.
Strong computer skills, including experience with Excel and Word; testing may be required.
Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills; ability to manage time and work independently.
Ability to safely operate a scissors lift and complete required fall-protection and equipment-operation training.
Availability for flexible hours.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to meet the physical demands and work in the plant conditions described, including lifting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

One to three years of experience in the meat or food industry is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Perform and document pre-operational inspections of production areas, equipment, and applicable food-contact surfaces before production begins.
Work with Sanitation to identify, communicate, and document sanitation deficiencies; conduct follow-up inspections and verify corrective actions.
Escalate unresolved or significant food safety and sanitation concerns to appropriate FSQ, Sanitation, and Production leadership.
Coordinate environmental pathogen monitoring, including sampling food-contact and non-food-contact sites and following up on corrective actions.
Monitor compliance with SSOPs, sanitation procedures, GMPs, and food safety requirements during sanitation and production activities.
Maintain accurate records for pre-op inspections, sanitation verification, environmental monitoring, corrective actions, and other assigned programs.
Monitor and verify thermal processes as required, and assist with decisions concerning food safety or quality events such as process deviations, foreign material incidents, labeling concerns, and formulation errors.
Maintain working knowledge of product traceability in the electronic A/S400 inventory system; place product on non-ship hold when required and complete follow-up needed to remove product from hold.
Communicate food safety, sanitation, hold, and other FSQ concerns clearly to applicable hourly and salaried team members.
Monitor food quality attributes during production and review quality records for accuracy and compliance.
Support Process Quality Control by auditing checks such as product temperatures, piece size, and other established quality attributes.
Monitor documentation for label verification and product formulation programs; identify deviations and assist with follow-up.
Perform or assist with daily GMP audits and communicate deficiencies; provide coaching or clarification on food safety, sanitation, and GMP expectations when appropriate.
Review in-process and final documentation for food safety and quality programs, and complete assigned portions of routine internal process and facility audits.
Communicate significant concerns and support the transition from Sanitation to Production, coordinating follow-up among FSQ, Sanitation, Production, and other departments.
Help maintain, coordinate, and continuously improve the Process and Quality Control Program.
Work with USDA, outside consultants, and auditors as needed.
Protect the company's confidential information and trade secrets.
Perform other duties as assigned and contribute to workplace harmony.