Quality Assurance (QA) Technician (1st Shift)

KETTLE CUISINE LLC•Everett, WA

3d•$24 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician ensures the accuracy and completeness of records related to HACCP, prerequisite programs, and SSOPs, identifies deficiencies, orders quality-related equipment and supplies, and reports quality and production metrics. The role performs analytical testing and verifies food safety and quality controls under the plant’s HACCP/FSMA and Preventive Control Programs. It provides on-floor support for investigating and troubleshooting food safety, quality, and process-control issues, and assists with data collection to improve products and systems. The technician verifies sanitation practices and systems, checks ingredients, packaging, and finished products against specifications, and helps ensure plant operations meet GMP requirements and applicable regulations. The role also supports QA and R&D during special batch runs, works toward plant and departmental goals, and follows Kettle Cuisine safety standards. The position works with little supervision, though work is reviewed, and may recommend actions to a supervisor or others.

Requirements

A two-year technical degree or four-year college program in Food Science, Quality, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong knowledge and understanding of HACCP and USDA/FDA regulations.
Ability to identify and create processes and write procedures.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or the business community.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and an email system.
Ability to multitask with a high level of attention to detail.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player and build an effective working environment.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Positive attitude and motivation to contribute to team success.
Ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Creative problem-solving skills; well organized and able to manage multiple projects.
Comfort working at a fast pace and in ambiguous environments.
Passion for food and ability to address difficult situations with patience and respect.
Availability and flexibility to work different shifts and days, sometimes for weeks at a time, and to work weekends and overtime as required.
Ability to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

HACCP certification.
Inventory and database management experience.

Responsibilities

Review HACCP, prerequisite program, and SSOP records for accuracy and identify deficiencies.
Order quality-related equipment, supplies, and services.
Report internal and external quality and production metrics.
Perform analytical testing, including pH, sodium, color, drain weight, water activity, Brix, and moisture.
Verify food safety and quality checks established in the plant’s HACCP/FSMA and Preventive Control Programs.
Ensure sanitation practices comply with food safety and regulatory requirements.
Provide on-floor QA support to investigate and troubleshoot food safety, quality, and process-control issues.
Assist QA management with collecting data to improve products and systems, including Statistical Process Controls.
Ensure floor work areas follow plant GMP requirements and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Verify sanitation systems, including daily pre-operational sanitation inspections, APC, ATP, and environmental monitoring.
Assist QA and R&D during special batch runs as needed.
Assist QA and Operations with conformance checks of ingredients, packaging, and finished products against established specifications.
Work safely and follow Kettle Cuisine standards and occupational safety regulations.
Support the plant and QA department in accomplishing goals and objectives.
Model and support Kettle’s core values and safety culture, promote accountability and performance, and focus on quality and continuous improvement.
Plan work, track results, and resolve variances.