Quality Technician 2nd Shift

Balchem Corporation•Albert Lea, MN

12d

About The Position

The Quality Assurance Technician supports manufacturing operations by verifying compliance with the site Quality Management System (QMS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and product specifications. The role works with the cross-functional site team to meet or exceed personnel safety, food safety, and food quality goals, while encouraging continuous improvement and collaboration. The technician performs quality checks and testing, monitors documentation and food safety activities, supports manufacturing teams, and helps investigate non-conformances. The role also promotes a clean, organized, and safe work environment and provides support and training to employees across shifts. The position is an 8-hour second shift, scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Pay is up to $22.50 per hour, with shift differential and pay based on experience.

Requirements

Must be 18 years or older.
Knowledge of food manufacturing operations and equipment.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to perform basic mathematical equations.
Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
Ability to adapt to team and individual work settings to help achieve company goals.
Established communication, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
Punctuality and dependability in all aspects of work.
Ability to lift 50 pounds and to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
Familiarity with SQF, FDA (FSMA), HACCP, and other regulatory and industry guidelines and requirements.
Ability to manage priorities and workload efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
Strong safety, food-safety, and quality orientation, with the ability to promote these standards in a cross-functional environment.
Ability and willingness to support and train employees across shifts.
Ability to troubleshoot and provide QA-centered solutions in a cross-functional team environment.
Ability to work and develop others in a team environment.
Sensitivity to other cultures and backgrounds and ability to work in a multicultural workplace.
Ability and willingness to learn, practice, and improve documented work procedures.

Nice To Haves

PCQI certification.
HACCP certification.

Responsibilities

Monitor employee documentation and report quality issues.
Verify Critical Control Points, check weights, and calibrate scales, probes, thermometers, moisture analyzers, and other laboratory equipment.
Ensure employee compliance with allergen procedures, GMPs, SSOPs, and the Food Safety Plan (HACCP).
Assist with weekly environmental swabs and monthly plant, glass, brittle plastic, and ceramic inspections.
Conduct pre-operational activities.
Test and evaluate raw materials and finished products.
Write HOLD tags and assign or assist with product disposition.
Review finished production folders as part of the positive release program.
Comply with department safety rules, serve as a positive safety role model, and maintain an organized, clean, and safe work environment.
Follow applicable food safety practices and processes and execute company QMS requirements.
Monitor and maintain daily food safety activities and enforce the food safety plan during production.
Promote food safety and quality across departments.
Support manufacturing teams in meeting customer and product quality performance requirements.
Implement department QMS requirements and promote a world-class Quality organization.
Represent the quality team and communicate QA issues to internal and external customers in a timely manner.
Communicate non-conformances, lead root cause analysis investigations, and follow up with corrective actions.
Manage time and workload efficiently, prioritize and adjust priorities, and respond to immediate needs while working toward long-term goals.
Provide support and training to employees on all shifts.
Troubleshoot and provide QA-centered solutions in a cross-functional team environment and lead a CAPA process.
Work with and develop others in a team environment.
Learn, practice, and improve documented work procedures.
Communicate plans verbally and in writing and maintain sensitivity to quality and on-time delivery of materials and services.