Quality Technician

QUALITY TECHNICIAN

Reports to: Director, Quality and R&D

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

SUMMARY

The Quality Technician is to support the Director of Quality and R&D in supplier quality, product development, and quality assurance initiatives. Ensures products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company quality standards while supporting the Quality Management System (QMS) and driving continuous improvement through quality metrics and process monitoring.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the quality and product compliance resource for PFSbrands and PFS Blends.
• Manage inbound product and packaging inspections, quarantine and rejection processes, and internal facility audit programs.
• Conduct production quality inspections, sampling, testing, and documentation to verify product quality and food safety.
• Review and approve labels, packaging, formulas, and specifications through established approval processes.
• Manage the preparation, coordination, and shipment of product demo samples to support field staff.
• Ensure daily work complies with FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP, and company food safety standards.
• Adhere to all facility policies concerning safety, security, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Be the example of GMP compliance and coach fellow Employee Owners on GMP compliance.
• Support supplier qualification, certification, and ongoing supplier quality programs.
• Support the development of new product and packaging specifications for regulatory and customer compliance.
• Support SQF certification, prerequisite programs, internal audits, product traceability, and mock recalls.
• Support root cause analysis of customer complaints, nonconformances, and incident reports while supporting corrective actions.
• Assist with the sanitation effectiveness procedures by inspections, ATP testing, environmental monitoring, and microbiological sampling.
• Assist with the environmental monitoring program and sampling.
• Partner with operations or production and cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Cross-train on Quality Technician responsibilities to provide reliable backup coverage during absences or peak workload periods.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support business and operational objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Quality experience preferred
• 2 to 3 years of experience in a food and/or beverage manufacturing environment preferred
• Working knowledge of SQF Food Safety Code or ability to learn
• HACCP Certification or ability to become certified within six months of hire
• Capable of writing detailed reports, providing general day-to-day oversight, and related correspondences
• Strong time management and organizational skills and ability to problem solve
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite and have the ability to learn other technology-based systems
• Excellent communication skills with internal peers and customers

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is typically performed in a general food production and manufacturing environment with exposure to machine noise, ingredient and finished product dust and residues. Several food allergens are present in the facility and used daily
• Able to work at various locations
• Frequently work with extreme temperatures from -10F to 80F degrees
• The job is done in a fast-paced environment, subject to numerous schedule and priority changes and short notice activity.
• Occasional work in a commercial kitchen environment using fryers, blenders, ovens, scales, etc.
• Must be able to occasionally climb stairs or a ladder to complete task.
• Uniforms with long pants, long sleeve shirts, and closed toed shoes are required along with hair and beard coverings. Additional PPE may be required depending on individual tasks.
• Pass annual review of Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to establish and continue insurability under PFS’ corporate policies

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to sit, balance and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Must have visual and hearing acuity.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to reach, lift and carry 50 pounds on a regular basis
• Occasionally to frequently climb a foot stool or ladder to reach items located on shelves, in coolers, freezers, stockrooms, etc.
• Must be able to speak to, hear, and understand others in person and by phone in English