Quality Control Technician

Saputo Inc. • Gustine, CA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Control Technician serves as the subject matter expert for the production shift and actively monitors production areas to inspect product quality. The technician samples and analyzes products against established specifications and controls, documents and reports actual or potential quality deviations, and recommends corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).

This role performs quality-control functions throughout a dairy manufacturing facility, including testing raw ingredients, packaging materials, and finished goods; maintaining laboratory equipment and records; supporting audits and product recalls; and ensuring compliance with quality procedures and applicable dairy food regulations. The position supports a 24/7 manufacturing operation. Technicians are assigned to shift teams, and workdays or shifts may change to cover absences, plant downtime, or quality-related events such as audits.

Requirements

• Ability to collect samples and conduct physical analytical, microbiological, and bacteriological testing, and apply and interpret results.
• Ability to identify and communicate out-of-specification results and follow notification protocols.
• Strong organizational skills and accurate recordkeeping, documentation, and data-entry skills.
• Ability to prepare laboratory stock solutions and calibrate and maintain lab testing equipment.
• Ability to complete, pass, and maintain regulatory certification as required.
• Strong math skills.
• Strong computer and business skills, including SAP, Microsoft Office products, email, copying, and scanning.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with noise and changing hot, wet, cold, or humid temperatures; stand and walk for prolonged periods; bend, stoop, climb stairs, and maneuver around manufacturing equipment throughout a shift.
• Ability to work with chemicals, wear personal protective equipment, and follow approved chemical-handling procedures.
• Good visual acuity and ability to see and differentiate colors.
• Sensory ability to taste, smell, and evaluate odors and flavors.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds intermittently during a shift, and lift up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Shift flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing facility, including changes to workdays and shifts as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree with a concentration in Food or Dairy Science.
• Previous experience with food quality specifications, physical and analytical testing, process-control monitoring, and positive-release documentation, or similar experience requiring strict adherence to protocol.
• Advanced quality or food-safety training and/or certifications.
• Working understanding of food-manufacturing acronyms and practices, including SQF, QA/QC, CQP, QAP, HACCP, SOP, 5S, and GMP.

Responsibilities

• Collect samples and perform physical analytical testing of raw ingredients, packaging materials, and finished dairy products according to established guidelines; apply and interpret results.
• Perform microbiological and bacteriological sampling and testing of dairy products according to established guidelines; apply and interpret results.
• Identify and communicate out-of-specification analytical results and follow established notification protocols.
• Routinely collect product samples from production lines as required by testing procedures.
• Maintain organized quality-control records and files; accurately complete testing documents and enter data into the system.
• Prepare stock solutions used in the laboratory.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory testing equipment.
• Perform environmental-control swabbing after clean-up and CIP/SIP, and report deviations.
• Apply knowledge of the consumer complaint investigation process.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Support mock-recall and product-recall program guidelines.
• Prepare and process production records to isolate out-of-specification products, including deviations from standard and products on regulatory or other holds.
• Prepare and distribute customer certificates of analysis.
• Perform quality-control functions throughout the facility.
• Complete, pass, and maintain applicable state regulatory licensing or certification requirements, including CDFA, DFA Appendix N, and Good Laboratory Practices requirements.
• Maintain laboratory housekeeping according to established guidelines.
• Comply with Quality Assurance Procedures (QAPs) and federal, state, and local dairy food regulations.
• Adhere to the Saputo Code of Ethics and apply Saputo Company Values.
• Work professionally with coworkers and personnel from other departments.
• Perform other duties as required by management.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed