Quality Technician – Manufacturing Operations

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Quality Technician who can grow into a quality leadership role as our organization expands. This position plays an important part in ensuring that materials and finished products meet quality requirements and customer expectations.

The Quality Technician will perform laboratory testing, document and communicate results to customers, resolve quality concerns with suppliers, and address issues on the production floor. The ideal candidate is technically capable, comfortable working with different stakeholders, and ready to develop the leadership skills needed to take on greater ownership over time.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Testing and Customer Support

• Perform laboratory testing on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products according to established procedures.
• Accurately record, review, and maintain test results and supporting documentation.
• Prepare certificates of analysis, test summaries, and other customer-facing quality documents.
• Communicate testing results, product conformance, and quality findings clearly and professionally to customers.
• Respond to customer quality questions and assist with the investigation and resolution of complaints.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, calibration records, and a safe, organized work environment.

Supplier Quality

• Investigate quality concerns involving raw materials, components, and supplier performance.
• Communicate nonconformances to suppliers and coordinate corrective actions.
• Review supplier responses to confirm that root causes and corrective actions are appropriate.
• Monitor recurring supplier issues and escalate significant risks.
• Work with Purchasing, Operations, and suppliers to prevent repeat problems.

Production Quality

• Provide timely quality support on the production floor.
• Inspect products and processes to identify defects, variation, and nonconforming conditions.
• Help determine product disposition and communicate quality requirements to production employees.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and the development of corrective and preventive actions.
• Verify that corrective actions have been implemented and are effective.
• Identify opportunities to reduce scrap, rework, customer complaints, and process variation.
• Promote consistent adherence to procedures, specifications, and quality standards.

Growth and Leadership Development

• Build strong working relationships across Production, Purchasing, Engineering, Customer Service, and other departments.
• Take increasing ownership of quality investigations, improvement projects, and customer or supplier communications.
• Help train employees on inspection methods, testing procedures, and quality expectations.
• Assist with internal audits, quality metrics, and management reporting.
• Develop the judgment and leadership skills needed to guide quality activities and mentor other team members.
• Grow toward a future Quality Lead or Quality Supervisor position based on performance, business needs, and demonstrated readiness.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in quality, laboratory testing, manufacturing, engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in a manufacturing, laboratory, or quality-related position.
• Experience using testing instruments, measuring equipment, and documented test procedures.
• Ability to interpret specifications, technical documents, and customer requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with customers and suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Ability to balance laboratory responsibilities with time-sensitive production-floor needs.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in chemical or food manufacturing.
• Familiarity with GMP, ISO 9001, or another applicable quality-management system.
• Experience with nonconformance reports, corrective actions, supplier corrective action requests, and customer complaints.
• Familiarity with inspection and laboratory equipment relevant to chemical manufacturing (bulk density, PH, available chlorine, etc.)
• Experience training employees or leading small projects.
• Interest in advancing into a formal quality leadership position.

Key Competencies

• Technical aptitude
• Customer-focused communication
• Practical problem-solving
• Sound judgment
• Accountability and follow-through
• Collaboration and conflict resolution
• Organization and attention to detail
• Initiative and leadership potential
• Continuous-improvement mindset

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to divide time between a laboratory, office, and active production environment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and work around production equipment for portions of the workday.
• Ability to lift up to [weight] pounds, if applicable.
• Availability to respond to urgent production or customer quality concerns as needed.

Measures of Success

Success in this position will include:

• Accurate, reliable, and timely laboratory testing.
• Clear and professional communication of results to customers.
• Prompt resolution of supplier and production quality issues.
• Thorough investigations that identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Reduced scrap, rework, nonconformances, and customer complaints.
• Strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Demonstrated growth in ownership, decision-making, and leadership capability.

Career Growth

This position is intended for someone who wants to develop beyond a technical role. As the employee demonstrates technical expertise, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to influence others, responsibilities may expand to include ownership of quality systems, oversight of quality priorities, employee training, performance reporting, and leadership of the quality function.

Equal Opportunity

Unipak is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 – 50.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person