Quality Assurance Associate

HERSHEY CREAMERY CO•Harrisburg, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Associate will perform raw ingredient testing, including microbiological, physical, chemical, and organoleptic testing. This role involves conducting various tests on raw milk and cream products, performing simple maintenance and calibration of lab equipment, and maintaining detailed documentation of test results. The associate will also conduct environmental testing in production areas, perform pre-operational inspections, collect product samples, and conduct finished product testing. A key aspect of this role is monitoring production and QA staff to ensure compliance with all corporate and regulatory requirements, including food safety, GMP, and GLP practices. The associate will communicate problems to supervisory personnel, verify corrective actions, and partner with Operations to enhance food safety and quality culture.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Background in sciences preferred.
1 Year of experience in a Quality Department in the Food Manufacturing field.
Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, and decimals
Must be able to perform organoleptic testing of treenut and peanut containing products
Must be able to effectively work in a team environment
Must be willing to work flexible hours including overtime as required, occasional weekends and holidays
Detail-oriented with a strong emphasis on accuracy as well as prioritize multiple tasks
May occasionally be exposed to chemicals
Must be able to speak, write, and communicate in fluent English
Proficient in Microsoft Office Products: Outlook, Word and Excel.
Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, and bend for virtually the entire shift
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds, occasionally including overhead
Must have excellent attendance

Nice To Haves

Food Microbiology Testing experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform raw ingredient testing (i.e. microbiological, physical, chemical and organoleptic testing) as required.
Conduct testing for butterfat, total solids, standard plate counts, total coliform counts, homogenization efficiency, and titratable acidity on raw milk, cream, recycled milk products.
Perform simple maintenance and calibration of lab equipment.
Report maintenance issues, as required to QA Director.
Maintain proper documentation of lab test results in lab data management system and on necessary paperwork.
Conduct environmental testing in the production areas and coordinates with outside labs for environmental microbiological testing.
Conduct Pre-operational inspections of processing lines and production areas for label verification, proper packaging, and metal detector checks.
Collect product samples for all frozen production.
Perform finished product testing (i.e. microbiological, physical, chemical and organoleptic testing) as required.
Conduct quality audit checks on processing lines to assure compliance to specifications.
Knowledge of and willing to support SQF standards such as PCQI, HACCP/HARPC, FSMA, GMP, GLP practices.
Monitor production and QA staff to assure that duties are performed in compliance with all corporate and regulatory, quality, allergen, food safety, GMP, GLP, and safety requirements; including the use of all personal protective equipment and devices as required to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
Communicate problems to appropriate plant supervisory personnel in a timely manner.
Works with management team to verify corrective actions are implemented for audit deficiencies.
Partner with Operations to continuously drive the culture toward a higher level of food safety and quality.