QA Technician - 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Shift

Johnsonville • Town of New Denmark, WI

18d • Onsite

About The Position

We are a leading manufacturer of premium, ready-to-eat link sausages and hot dogs. The company was founded in 2004 by four brothers, Chris, Joe, Mark, and Pete Salm. They partnered their individual talents together to create our organization, using the “partnership” concept as the cornerstone for our success. Since then, we have expanded and have two production plants with over 1,000 partners in Denmark, WI.  In 2023, Johnsonville purchased Salm Partners to help grow not only its own ready-to-eat sausage business, but the ready-to-eat sausage category as a whole.  The combination of the country’s most trusted retail sausage brand (Johnsonville) with the industry leading manufacturer (Salm Partners) has created a world class organization. We are committed to growth as a company and to our partners!   Apply today and discover your opportunity to grow with us.Position Overview1st Shift  6AM - 2PM  Monday - Friday; Saturdays as needed 2nd Shift  2PM - 10PM  Monday - Friday; Saturdays as needed 3rd Shift  10PM - 6AM  Monday - Friday; Saturdays as needed   2-2-3 Schedule:  6AM - 6PM or 6PM - 6AM

Requirements

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalency is normally required.
• Must have a strong attention to detail and be able to work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and with changing environmental conditions, including heat, cold and wet.
• Must possess strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Must possess basic computer proficiencies in a Windows environment, preferably with Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must have basic, accurate math skills.
• Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, verbal, and/or diagram form.
• Must have strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills.
• While performing the duties of this job, the partner is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear.
• The partner is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must occasionally lift boxes of product weighing up to 30#.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception, close vision and color vision.
• Must have a sense of taste and smell in order to complete sensory evaluations of product.

Nice To Haves

• An Associate’s degree in Quality or related field is preferred.
• Previous Quality experience in a USDA-FSIS regulated food manufacturing environment would also be preferred.
• If non-degreed, must normally have a minimum of 6 months experience as a production Line Worker with Backup QA experience.
• Previous Internet experience and MAS 500 or related integrated manufacturing software system is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Comply with all SQF and USDA regulatory issues and food safety requirements, and act as Food Safety Representative.
• Complete a facility-wide pre-op visual inspection to confirm sanitation status of production areas prior to beginning daily production; write up Corrective Actions as needed, and address and resolve issues prior to start-up.
• Conduct Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) inspections twice per shift while plant is in production; complete inspection form and file.
• Communicate daily with the USDA representative, addressing all issues in a timely manner.
• Review Certificates of Analysis for all received raw goods.
• Assist Stuffing Room Operators with brine set-up; take water samples and maintain hourly salt/brine log tracking to specification.
• Ensure compliance to HACCP Plan by completing periodic net weight checks, color readings, Perfect Package checks, hourly temperature checks, hourly metal detector checks, drive unit/water temperature checks, salt pH/temperature checks, and assisting with smoke tests as needed.
• Collect product samples during the production run; conduct length/weight analyses, periodic sensory evaluations and complete appropriate forms.
• Collect and package product samples for testing by Food Safety Net Service (FSNS) daily; complete Sample Submission forms.
• Check Metal Detector Rejections and Leaker logs for completeness and maintain file.
• Calibrate test equipment (pH meter, colorimeter, thermometers, etc.) and verify scales for accuracy throughout the facility.
• Monitor the cooler temperatures daily.
• Complete pathogen swabs and water sample checks periodically.
• Collect in-process cook/chill data using Data Logger probe weekly; download data from probe to spreadsheet for review and analysis.
• Maintain Reprocessed Product Logs, entering process/reprocess date and new code date into the system, and maintaining files.
• Collect information and documentation related to foreign material incidents.
• Assist with the decision to place product on QA Hold or remove from Hold as necessary; send Hold notifications to communicate, complete appropriate forms and update the Hold Log.
• Participate in organoleptics to evaluate product for extended shelf life, formulation changes, etc.
• Ensure partner compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as required.
• Follows all lockout/tag-out procedures without fail.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations per established company policies.
• Support the Lean Manufacturing initiatives of the company.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Full-time Partners at Salm have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support their well-being and future.
• This includes a 401(k) with a company match, health, dental, and vision coverage, as well as an optional Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Salm also provides company-paid short-term disability and life insurance policies.
• Full-time Partners enjoy paid time off (PTO) and the opportunity to grow within a values-driven and team-focused environment.
• Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees