Quality Assurance Technician

Java City•Sacramento, CA

7d•$23 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Since 1985, Java City has been a family-run, direct-trade coffee roaster on a mission to transform lives. They believe everyone should win in every transaction and have built the company with this principle for four decades. They are working towards becoming an employee-owned and operated company that directly supports the coffee farming communities they buy from. This is an opportunity to join a company where your voice matters and your effort can lead to ownership.

Requirements

One or more years of experience in quality control, laboratory work, or production in a food, beverage, or other regulated manufacturing environment, or equivalent technical training
The ability to follow written procedures and specifications precisely, and to recognize and escalate a result that is out of spec
Accurate, legible record-keeping, comfort with basic math (averages, percentages, weights and measures), and comfort with spreadsheets or electronic data entry
The ability to perform sensory evaluation of coffee, including taste, aroma, and visual assessment of color and defects, with or without reasonable accommodation
Willingness to complete the food hygiene, food safety, and sensory training Java City provides after hire
Clear communication with production staff, and the confidence to raise a concern when something doesn't look right

Nice To Haves

Experience in coffee roasting, specialty coffee, or other beverage production
SCA Coffee Skills Program coursework in Green Coffee or Sensory Skills, or interest in pursuing it, with a long-term path toward Q Arabica Grader licensure
Completion of a Preventive Controls for Human Food or HACCP training course
Familiarity with a GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme such as SQF or BRCGS
Coursework or a degree in food science, chemistry, biology, or a related field

Responsibilities

Sample and inspect incoming green coffee, packaging, and other inputs against specifications, including green defect counts and moisture readings.
Record lot numbers and supplier documentation for traceability.
Tag and segregate nonconforming material.
Perform in-process and finished-product checks such as roast color, moisture, weight, and visual defects.
Alert production and the Quality Assurance Manager when a result falls outside specification.
Set up and take part in cupping sessions using established protocols.
Log sensory results and pull and label retain samples for each production lot.
Confirm seal integrity, net weight, lot codes, and label accuracy before product is released.
Carry out monitoring and verification activities assigned under the facility's food safety plan and Current Good Manufacturing Practices.
Record food safety and sanitation activities accurately and at the time they are performed.
Complete inspection logs, hold and release records, calibration records, and corrective action documentation accurately and on time.
Perform routine calibration checks on scales, moisture meters, roast color analyzers, and other instruments.
Report any instrument that falls out of tolerance.
Gather data and samples for root-cause investigations.
Help carry out corrective and preventive actions.
Assist with internal audits, mock recalls, and audit preparation.
Follow the Injury and Illness Prevention Program and Lockout/Tagout procedures.
Take part in scheduled safety inspections.
Report hazards, near misses, and injuries promptly.