Quality Assurance (QA) Technician

PURIS Proteins • Riverside, MN

36d • $20 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

At PURIS, we're dedicated to cultivating a better food system and making a positive impact. How do we do it? By transforming high-quality, USA-made ingredients into essential components for a wide range of everyday products. From cereals and snacks to protein beverages and beyond, our ingredients are powering a healthier future. This is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of a growing food industry. You'll work with state-of-the-art engineering and work together with your peers to build a better food future. Overview: Dawson, MN - Manufacturing At our Dawson, MN facility, you're at the heart of it all. As the largest pea protein plant in North America, this facility is the backbone of our operations. Here, we take raw materials and transform them into the vital ingredients that end up in countless food products, from those in our kitchens to shelves across the country. If you're someone who loves to solve problems on the fly and has a keen eye for detail, you'll thrive here. Most importantly, your commitment to safety ensures that every team member goes home healthy and safe at the end of each day. We're proud to share that PURIS was awarded Manufacturer of the Year in 2024 by Twin Cities Business Journal, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams! As a QA Technician at PURIS you are responsible for making sure our product meets specifications, both when arriving to and leaving our facility. You will ensure all required testing is done in a timely fashion and that other departments have the paperwork they need to operate. Provide the Quality and Food Safety department with support functions to enable the most efficient and effective safe food release possible. Accomplishing direct support tasks on a routine basis as well as directly assisting the QA Team with all miscellaneous tasks that may interfere with the daily workload. Must be able to abide by PURIS’ SOPs, SSOPs, and Quality Standards at all times. Safety is our #1 priority, therefore QA Technicians must adhere to all plant policies with regard to Safety, Food Safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, bachelor’s degree in an industry-related field preferred
• 1 year Quality experience in a similar role, 3+ years highly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a People Safe and Food Safe manner in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft office suite to enter data and prepare reports.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.
• Passion to make food that people love and is safe for all of our customers.
• PCQI/HACCP certifications are highly desired but will train the right candidate.
• Must be capable of working at elevated heights, lift up to 50 lbs. and be able to adapt to temperature & environmental extremes from hot to cold, noise, dust, dirt and chemicals.
• Must have the ability to stand/walk frequently during shift between lab and packing lines.
• Must be able to stand for 7+ hours of your shift.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times throughout the course of your shift
• Must be able to lift 50 lb. frequently
• Must be able to work safely at heightened platforms on occasion

Nice To Haves

• PCQI/HACCP certifications are highly desired but will train the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Perform required tests or inspection designated for ingredients and finished products.
• Highlight out of specification results on analytical sheets
• Perform analytical and sensory testing in accordance with established work instructions and procedures.
• Perform all duties with a high level of accuracy in order to maintain the integrity of quality results.
• Filing documents, lab and production
• Perform other tasks as required.
• Review Production documents for accuracy and adherence to established processes, procedures and controls. Maintain PCQI status.
• Identify non-conformances in production documents and initiate initial corrective actions, placing product on hold, notifying QA leadership, responsible parties for follow up.
• Own positive release process, including communication across functions.
• Enter results from finished product samples into reporting systems.
• Proofread COAs.
• Help develop programs and procedures to assist facilities in producing and releasing safe food.

Benefits

• At PURIS, we’re proud to support our team with a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally.
• Starting the first of the month after your hire date, you’ll enjoy access to Medical insurance plans starting as low as $31 per paycheck.
• We also offer dental and vision coverage, as well as free digital health care for all employees.
• You will also have access to Life and Short-Term Disability insurance covered for you at 100%, along with flexible health and dependent care spending accounts.
• Planning for your future? PURIS contributes 50% of every dollar you save, up to 6%, toward your retirement plan.
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with 80 hours of PTO accrued annually, 8 paid holidays, and access to a variety of other free resources at your disposal.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED