Quality Assurance Technician, Lead (Midday)

CONA Services•Abilene, TX

12d•$28 - $33•Onsite

About The Position

The QA Technician, Lead is responsible for ensuring compliance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the facility’s sanitation program. The role provides leadership and oversight for execution of the Master Sanitation Program and microbiology requirements, including collection, plating, and reading of microbiology samples. The technician also performs these activities routinely, reviews sanitation records and practices to identify microbiological risks, reports on program effectiveness, leads corrective actions, and trains production, maintenance, and quality assurance team members. Additional responsibilities include supporting applicable ISO management systems; maintaining laboratory procedures, safety manuals, supplies, and equipment; conducting microbiological testing and training; monitoring sanitation and water-treatment activities; communicating results and quality issues to management; and assisting with audits and special projects. The position is based in Abilene, Texas, and works Monday through Friday from 1 PM until completion. Starting pay is $27.85 to $33.24 per hour, based on experience. Additional earning opportunities may include performance-based incentives, quarterly bonuses, and referral bonuses.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Technical training in food microbiology or microbiology, including sampling, plating, plate reading, and good microbiology practices; more than two years of demonstrated microbiology work experience may substitute for this training.
At least two years of food microbiology program experience.
Experience working within an ISO management system or a USDA/FDA environment.
At least one year of experience in an auditing or inspecting role against organizational standards.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as SAP.
Experience training others.
Ability to interact with multiple levels of leadership, write clear and concise reports, and participate in team problem-solving activities.
Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to meet business needs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or associate degree in Food Science, a technical or engineering field, or Continuous Improvement/Project Management.
Experience in the beverage manufacturing industry.
ISO Auditor Certification.
Experience with statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

Monitor completion of Master Sanitation Program requirements and ensure the schedule is followed for assigned QA areas.
Review cleaning and sanitizing activities and records for manual and automated processes to identify gaps that could lead to microbiological growth.
Conduct microbiological sampling, plating, and reading, and prepare microbiological test media aseptically.
Generate reports on Master Sanitation Program effectiveness and communicate microbiological results to management.
Initiate and lead Master Sanitation Program corrective actions.
Provide sanitation and microbiology training to production, maintenance, and QA team members, including training new QA technicians in sample collection, dilutions, plating, reading, and aseptic techniques.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of applicable Quality Manuals and Policies and support development, implementation, and maintenance of the QA Department’s role in applicable ISO systems.
Select sites for weekly pre-operational inspections.
Maintain laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Safety Manuals.
Inventory and submit purchase requests for microbiology laboratory supplies.
Perform CCNA proficiency tests for microbiological analysis when required.
Verify daily incubator temperatures.
Conduct research and special projects as required.
Keep the Quality Assurance Supervisor, Lead Lab Tech, and Production Supervisor informed of quality issues throughout the shift.
Assist with announced and unannounced audits.
Maintain a flexible schedule to meet business needs.
Track, monitor, and implement preventive maintenance for applicable QA equipment.
Complete the train-the-trainer course and conduct training as necessary.
Demonstrate understanding of the Infinity QS SPC system and troubleshoot Infinity software.
Monitor, operate, and troubleshoot the water treatment system as necessary.
Collect and submit required water samples for THMs, monthly sodium analysis, and annual water testing.
Comply with company Food Safety, Safety, Quality, and Environmental policies and standards, including facility/company GMP policy, and wear required safety attire.