QC Specialist

Peace River Citrus Products, Inc.•Bartow, FL

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The QC Specialist ensures that product, packaging, and process norms comply with quality and food safety standards at Peace River Citrus Products’ beverage base blending and packaging facility in Bartow, Florida. The role performs quality auditing through testing, data collection, and analysis of raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods. The position works a 2-2-3 schedule from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and may require other schedules or overtime based on business needs. The specialist supports compliance with applicable FDA, USDA, GMP, and company Quality System requirements and contributes to quality improvement activities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Citrus and/or laboratory experience, or additional education that includes laboratory experience.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand instructions in English.
Ability to work eight-hour shifts, 12-hour shifts, or other schedules determined by business need, including overtime as required.
Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks at a laboratory bench.
Ability to detect color changes in chemical testing.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Proven ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Good judgment and ability to make timely, sound decisions.
Ability to see the big picture and think conceptually and strategically while delivering measurable results as a hands-on contributor.
Commitment to excellence and high standards.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work with all levels of management.
Ability to execute tasks independently, with support from the senior manager.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Versatility, flexibility, and willingness to work in an environment with constantly changing priorities.
Basic computer skills and familiarity with MS Windows applications, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Word.

Responsibilities

Analyze incoming ingredients, in-process products, and finished products against specifications, including tests for Brix, acid, flavor, color, pulp, taste, oil, ascorbic acid, and foreign material.
Monitor and inspect production lines to ensure quality and package integrity meet specifications.
Verify product codes, labels, cases, cartons, packages, sleeves, seals, and shrink-wrap.
Check finished-product fill temperatures, weights, and heights.
Perform complete package quality inspections as required.
Collect samples for quality testing.
Perform microbiological analysis on incoming ingredients and finished products.
Complete documentation for quality checks; maintain daily reports and file Quality- and Production-generated paperwork.
Place raw materials and finished products on hold and monitor sorting of hold product as needed.
Monitor quality checks performed by production.
Maintain analytical equipment and perform required daily calibrations.
Prepare standard solutions and reagents and use proper chemical-handling procedures.
Monitor laboratory supply inventory and notify others when reordering is necessary.
Monitor and inspect sanitation activities and analyze CIP and acid sanitizer solutions.
Maintain equipment and area cleanliness to meet GMP standards.
Assist blenders as assigned by Supervisors or Team Leaders.
Comply with FDA, USDA, GMP, standard operating procedures, and PRCP Quality System requirements; perform tasks safely to support Quality, Food Safety, and Cost objectives.
Participate in the quality improvement process.
Perform other related duties as assigned by management.