FSQ Technician I

SunOpta•Alexandria, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Quality Assurance Technician I is responsible for testing and inspecting products at various stages of production, compiles and evaluates statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products by performing the following duties. This role involves a variety of micro duties, preoperational inspections, incoming ingredient analysis, finished product analysis, sample taking, calibrating lab equipment, preparing chemical solutions, and maintaining housekeeping standards. The technician also performs various QC audits throughout the facility.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED.
Basic math skills of averaging and knowledge of making dilutions.
Ability to interpret various test results that involve color analysis.
Ability to smell and taste.
Basic keyboarding skills are helpful but not necessary.
Candidate must possess the knowledge and understanding of basic math skills including weight calculations, averages and percentages.
Must be able to read and write in English.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills critical.
Must be able to work 12 hr shift as well as overnight.

Nice To Haves

Background in Food Science or Microbiology preferred.
Preferably at least two years’ experience in food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the official release for all ingredients and finished goods.
Perform micro duties including plating, reading and interpreting results against known specifications.
Conduct various micro testing on powders, liquids, swabs, filters and air samples.
Perform preoperational inspections, inspecting equipment before production startup and taking ATP and micro swabs to validate results.
Conduct incoming ingredient analysis, including compositing powder samples, running various chemical, micro and physical analytical testing and reporting these results on a Certificate of Analysis.
Perform finished product analysis, generating a Certificate of Analysis for all finished product, testing in accordance to customer specifications.
Take aseptic samples twice per shift from various ports located throughout the facility and sample finished product bags for troubleshooting purposes.
Calibrate lab equipment.
Prepare chemical solutions according to standard formulas.
Maintain housekeeping standards for work area and other areas listed on the master cleaning schedule.
Perform various QC audits throughout the facility.
Understands and demonstrates safe behaviors.
Provides feedback to production employees regarding safe behaviors.
Document safety risks and communicates them appropriately.
Serves an active role in the plant safety program by attending safety meetings and participating in monthly safety inspections.
Understands and demonstrates good GMPs.
Understands sanitation processes thoroughly.
Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines.
Responsible for compliance to the HACCP for each process.
Reviews batch records for accuracy, neatness and completion.
Document all incidents and deviations.
Ensures MSS tasks are distributed evenly and completed in a timely manner.
Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors.
Maintain communication with employees and management.
Reduce downtime due to changeovers, scheduling, breakdowns.
Conduct accurate and complete Tier 1 shift handoff.
Communicate necessary maintenance plans and schedules.
Promotes and contributes to the development of teamwork among other coworkers.
Assists in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.
Continuous improvement of knowledge of the soy base process.