Quality Technician

Balchem Corporation•Sleepy Eye, MN

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician supports manufacturing operations by carrying out activities that verify compliance with the site Quality Management System (QMS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and product specifications. The technician 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. This position is onsite in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and works 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The pay range is $19–$22 per hour, plus shift differential, 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, and to perform basic mathematical equations.
Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
Ability to adapt to both team and individual work settings to 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.
Strong safety, food-safety, and quality orientation, with ability to promote these standards in a cross-functional environment.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
Ability to manage time and workload efficiently, prioritize and adjust priorities, and function in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to troubleshoot, provide QA-centered solutions, and lead a CAPA process.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing sufficiently to discuss, develop, and implement plans.
Sensitivity to different cultures and backgrounds and ability to work in a multicultural workplace.
High sensitivity to quality and on-time delivery of materials and services.

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.
Maintain compliance with department safety rules, serve as a positive safety role model, and help keep the work environment organized, clean, and safe.
Follow applicable food safety practices and processes, execute company QMS requirements, and monitor and maintain daily food safety activities.
Enforce the food safety plan during production and promote food safety and quality across departments.
Support manufacturing teams in meeting customer and product quality performance requirements.
Implement department QMS requirements and help 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 action.
Manage priorities and workload efficiently to address immediate needs and long-term goals.
Provide support and training to employees on all shifts.
Troubleshoot and provide QA-centered solutions in a cross-functional team environment, including leading a CAPA process.
Work with and develop others in a team environment.
Learn, practice, and improve documented work procedures.