Quality Technician

Business Unit Overview

Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that's First in Food .

Location Description

Michael Foods, Inc. located in Klingerstown, Pennyslvania known for their ice cream socials at Klingerstown Lutheran Parish, fishing rodeo, and fireman's parade.
Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY

This position has the responsibility to comply with Safety work rules at all times as well as an obligation to reinforce Safety as a Core Value. Ensures that all policies, procedures and activities, related to Food Safety & Quality, are followed and complied with uniformly, in an effort to reduce product and process variability.

The purpose of the Quality Assurance technician is to ensure proper specifications are met and documented on all incoming ingredients and packaging materials and outgoing finished products. The technicians also communicate all findings to the necessary departments. All of Michael Foods, the customers and the public will benefit from the work done by technicians who ensure safe, compliant quality products.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assumes personal responsibility to insure safe and healthy workplace for everyone. Adhere to all safety policies and procedures and incorporate safety and health in all jobs and tasks.
• Ensures regulatory compliance at all times.
• Perform periodic in process quality checks: weights, dimensions, temperature, sensory, document reviews, etc.
• Inspect incoming packaging materials and ingredients for: proper labeling/coding, allergen labeling requirements, adherence to manufacturing specifications, etc.
• Perform periodic finished product checks: case weights, case counts, packaging integrity, case coding, labeling, etc.
• Assist in drafting, revision, and maintenance of plant standard operating procedures.
• Act as a liaison between Production, Distribution, Sanitation, Maintenance, and the Quality Department.
• Participate in plant food safety/quality inspections, in-process inspections, mock recall, label audits, HACCP audits, and thermometer calibrations as required.
• Verify proper set-up of production lines at start-up and shift change: Printer set-up (coding), packaging materials, labeling, quality limits, etc.
• Verify sanitary condition of production lines prior to start-up and after downtime requiring maintenance activity.
• Verify compliance with label stated weights and associated regulations for all products.
• Communicate quality issues with Production and Quality Management and assist in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions where appropriate.
• Perform investigative environmental swabbing of critical production equipment/areas as a troubleshooting guide.
• Assist in investigations in response to customer concerns or other quality related deviations to determine root cause and appropriate corrective actions.
• Assist in the management of quality hold activities, including non-conforming product inventories.
• Ensure adherence to company Good Manufacturing Practices, customer specifications, and internal product specifications at all times.
• Assist Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor and Technicians as needed.
• Expected to adhere to safe work practices, follow GMP and HACCP guidelines, maintain sanitary conditions and ensure that product quality is maintained in order to maintain SQF Quality Certification. Report to management any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety, food quality or personnel safety.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that you get along with customers, clients, co-workers and management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups, customers/vendors or employees of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Powered Industrial Truck (PIT)Certification
• Driver's license

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in food science or industry related degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Proficient communication skills across various departments.
• Knowledge of company and regulatory policies, procedures and philosophies.
• Proficient organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) and ability to coach/train others on GMP's.
• Basic proficiency using computer programs (MS Office) for collecting and analyzing data, and writing procedures and reports.
• Demonstrated proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Ability to participate in cross-functional teams.
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting skills.
• Basic administrative duties.
• Ability to operate specific equipment or tools
• Ability to type or take shorthand and speed required
• Skill in working with computers and experience with spreadsheet and word-processing software.
• Familiarity with special terminology such as legal, medical, or scientific terms

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

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