Quality Technician (Days)

fairlife•Goodyear, AZ

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Technician monitors and performs qualitative and quantitative testing of process and product attributes to ensure food safety and product quality. The role ensures compliance with applicable regulations, including the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, and with applicable standards and requirements such as GFSI, third-party audits, Kosher, and Organic requirements. The technician verifies that processes, work in progress, incoming goods, in-process product, and finished product meet specifications; interprets test results to support product release; and documents non-conforming product and communicates findings to plant management. The position performs laboratory and production-floor testing, inspections, and audits; maintains laboratory equipment, supplies, calibration standards, and records; and coordinates third-party laboratory testing. The Quality Technician also supports food safety and quality systems by identifying and documenting problems, preventing nonconformities, and controlling further processing or delivery of nonconforming product until deficiencies are corrected. This role is based in Goodyear, Arizona, reports to the Quality Control Supervisor, and works a rotating 3-2-2 schedule on 12-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work may involve sitting, standing, and walking for up to 12 hours; lifting up to 10 pounds and frequently lifting or moving up to 25 pounds; exposure to hazards such as machinery and confined spaces; loud noise; industrial machinery; and air-conditioned environments. The role may require operating motorized vehicles or equipment and working with chemicals.

Requirements

High school diploma at a minimum.
At least one year of previous laboratory experience with microbiology and chemistry.
Accuracy and precision in testing procedures and mix-formulation calculations, and a keen sense of odors and flavors.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to read, write, and interpret safety rules, procedure manuals, and mathematical calculations.
Ability to read, comprehend, and follow technical instructions, and effectively present information in one-on-one and small-group situations.
Ability to hear and perceive information at normal spoken-word levels.
Ability to speak and understand English fluently.
Ability to perform arithmetic with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to detailed written or oral instructions and mathematical calculations.
Ability to prioritize and organize work.
Strong decision-making ability to determine an appropriate course of action when assessing test results.
Basic computer skills, including word-processing and spreadsheet programs.
Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, safety programs, and procedures.
Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Ability to work with chemicals.
Ability to sit, stand, or walk for up to 12 hours; lift up to 10 pounds and frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds; work around hazards, loud noise, and industrial machinery; and operate motorized vehicles or equipment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a science field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in a food production environment.
Knowledge of MS Office and SAP.

Responsibilities

Test butterfat, total solids, pH, acidity, flavor, odor, cryoscopy, viscosity, Brix, HR-1, HR-2 and HR-3, temperatures, antibiotics, coliform, DMC, DMSCC, and SPC.
Calculate formulas and perform accelerated shelf-life testing.
Perform in-plant weight and temperature checks, ingredient usage and distribution checks, and code-date verification.
Perform environmental testing and pre-operational swabbing, and maintain associated records.
Conduct pathogen monitoring on raw and finished products and maintain the results.
Determine whether finished goods and raw materials should be held, released, or rejected.
Maintain laboratory records, internal and external laboratory results, inspection reports, vitamin logs, and water and glycol records.
Coordinate and maintain third-party laboratory testing programs.
Maintain proper calibration standards.
Perform daily finished-product evaluations and Appendix N antibiotic testing.
Assist with state and federal laboratory inspections.
Conduct sensory evaluations of raw materials and finished products.
Help control plant losses.
Perform microbiological testing and documentation of finished and in-process products; interpret results, retest and report abnormalities as needed, and generate standard reports of results.
Inspect processing areas routinely and document whether required records are present and correct and whether areas comply with GMPs and sanitation requirements.
Perform Quality Team Audits, including Good Manufacturing Practices and housekeeping audits.
Manage laboratory operations and maintain laboratory equipment and supplies.
Work with chemicals.
Complete duties consistently with company safety rules and good manufacturing practices, and perform related duties assigned by the Manager or Supervisor on duty.
Notify supervision of repairs or adjustments that may affect product quality or food safety.
Understand, observe, and comply with the color-coded container policy in production areas.
Perform duties necessary to meet company, customer, and government requirements and standards.
Initiate action to prevent food safety, product quality, process, quality-system, or safety-system nonconformities.
Identify and record problems related to food safety or the quality of ingredients, processes, quality systems, or safety systems.
Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition is corrected.
Ensure another employee with the same skill level assumes duties and responsibilities when the technician is absent.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage effective day one.
Supplemental health plans, including hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance.
Paid time off.
Paid parental leave and adoption assistance up to $10,000.
Parental support and family-care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support.
401(k) with up to 9% employer match.
Wellness reimbursement up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses.
Employee Assistance Program for emotional wellbeing and work-life support.
Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability.
Employer HSA funding for HDHP participants.
Tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 and student loan repayment of $200 per month.
Learning and development programs.
Rewards and recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups.