The Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Technician ensures the quality and safety of food products by monitoring production, enforcing GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), conducting quality checks, and reporting deviations from specifications. This role involves performing inspections, calibrating equipment, documenting findings, and collaborating with management to address quality and food safety issues.
**Must speak conversational Spanish and currently live in the area
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Enforce GMPs, Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards, and safety regulations (including PPE) across all production areas.
Ensure all employees adhere to food safety, cleanliness, and quality standards.
Conduct regular GMP inspections across the facility to ensure adherence to food safety, quality, and cleanliness standards.
Monitor production runs and intercede immediately when deviations from standard operating procedures occur.
Inspect raw materials, in-process ingredients, and finished products to confirm compliance with specifications and quality standards.
Perform pre-operational inspections to verify proper line clearance before production begins.
Report deviations from product specifications, safety standards, or GMPs to the Quality Management team immediately.
Identify and report unsafe conditions or potential food safety threats to management in real time.
Initiate corrective actions, including placing products on hold and documenting incidents with detailed reports.
Create hold tags, including a physical count and full documentation of the issue, for affected products.
Calibrate thermometers, scales, and other laboratory equipment to ensure accurate measurements.
Ensure that all production equipment is operating within specified parameters for quality assurance.
Verify that correct formulas are used during production and ensure they are followed precisely.
Monitor and ensure that production records, formulas, and lot information are accurate and up-to-date.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of inspections, calibrations, deviations, corrective actions, and quality checks.
Assist with transferring paper-based documents to electronic systems, ensuring they are organized and audit-ready.
Adhere to and enforce all Food Safety and Quality Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times.
Report any known or suspected food safety/quality issues to management or direct supervisor.
Participate in Food Safety and Quality Assurance training sessions as required.
Assist in training staff on food safety protocols, GMPs, and quality standards.
Qualifications:
MUST have experience working in Food Manufacturing
1-2 years of experience in Quality Control in a food manufacturing facility.
High school diploma or equivalent; degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or Chemistry preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Email).
Strong understanding of GMPs, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratios, and percentages).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
HACCP certification is preferred but not required.
Fluency in English is required; bilingual (Spanish) is preferred.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
Prolonged standing/walking: 90% of the time.
Physical Activity: Lifting (up to 50 lbs.), climbing, crawling, pushing, and pulling (5% of the time).
Hand manipulation: Frequent use of hands for typing, documentation, and equipment calibration (5% of the time).
Color distinction: Ability to distinguish colors for quality control purposes.
Odor tolerance: Ability to tolerate strong odors from food products during processing.
Work environment: Ability to work in both hot and cold environments for extended periods.
Flexible hours: Ability to work varying hours, including weekends, as needed.