QA Technician

About the jobAt Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Quality Assurance Technician based in our Chatsworth, California manufacturing plant In this role, you will be responsible for monitoring, testing, recording, and reacting to data pertaining to products/production processes/quality systems to ensure the highest standards of quality and food safety are met or exceeded and that products produced are in compliance with federal, state, and company specifications. You must be capable of producing accurate results, while multi-tasking in a fast-paced work environment. You will be expected to anticipate problems/conflicts, problem-solve, and react accordingly, and maintain a proactive approach to all work tasks and any issues as they arise. The Quality Technician must be cross-trained on all Quality Laboratory functions and must maintain a thorough knowledge of laboratory equipment including operation, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. The Quality Technician must interpret, understand, support, and have a working knowledge of Plant/Corporate protocols and programs, as well as facility systems, including informational/operational/management systems. The successful individual will also actively support new system installations and implementations and seek to continually maintain reliability. Participate in verification activities in prerequisite programs such as Water and Air Quality, Foreign Material Control, Calibration, Allergen Management, Environmental Monitoring, Printed Packaging and Product Integrity, Cleaning and Sanitation, Non-Conforming Reporting, Non-Conforming Product Ingredient and Equipment. Participate in Analytical Performance Proficiency Testing. The successful individual implements continuous improvements within all systems and seeks to minimize waste and loss. The Quality Technician will assist/train/coach employees within all levels of the organization in regard to quality and food safety related topics.Danone North America additionally offers a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.The base compensation for this position is $29.00 per hour and is eligible for overtime. This is a unionized role based on site and the work schedule is as follows (subject to availability):First Shift (Days): 4:30 am - 1:00 pm (Monday - Friday with occasional Saturday)Second Shift (Afternoon): 1:15 pm - 9:45 pm (Monday - Friday with occasional Saturday)In this role, you will be responsible for the following:Work safely, as well as report and assist in mitigating all safety concernsComprehend and support plant/corporate protocols and programs, as well as facility systems, including informational/operational/management systems such as Redzone, SAP, Tekdan/Themis.Communicate effectively with other departments, management, and employees including notifying appropriate teams when problems and/or concerns ariseWork independently or within a team, with and without supervisionAbility to prioritize and multi-task to ensure that all job functions are completed accurately in a timely mannerFacilitate, attend, and participate in team meetings and programsPerform analytical, chemical, microbiological, and allergenic analysis both routine and episodicProvide oversight for facility systems and actively participate and support the development, implementation, day to day operation, and maintenance of checks and balance programs such as coding checks, OQI (operator quality inspection) review, batch ownership including batch correction, and filler inspections.Ensure all paperwork is filled out in a clear, legible, and accurate format and completed with all required informationAnticipate problems/conflicts, problem-solve, and reactReact to data, perform out-of-specification mitigationProperly manage product inventory utilizing programs such as SAP and RedzoneMonitor, operate, maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instruments and equipment without assistanceAttend and practice all required trainingUtilize root cause analysis thought process, maintain a proactive approach, and support sustainable solutionsUtilizing continuous improvement mindset, actively participate in identifying and correcting opportunities to improve processes including participation in the creation and documentation of Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions, the creation and maintenance of preventative maintenance standards, the writing of One Point Lessons, and participation in continuous improvement methodology eventsFollow Danone Standards, Good Manufacturing Practices and 5S methodology to maintain a clean, sanitary, and safe work area, maintaining audit ready status at all timesActively participate in all department and plant activities (i.e., Quality, Food Safety, Focused Improvement, Safety, etc.) including but not limited to audits, observations, inspections, documentation, and recommendations. Prerequisite programs such as, Foreign Material Control, Calibration, Allergen Management, Environmental Monitoring, Printed Packaging and Product Integrity, Cleaning and Sanitation, Non-Conforming Reporting, Non-Conforming Product Ingredient and Equipment.Maintain knowledge and skills of Quality department tasks such as product testing and environmental swabbing, sampling, testing, documentation, documentation review, investigations, investigation findings, follow-upSupports plant production needs and priorities to achieve plant goalsAssist, train, and coach employees.Comply with all regulations, policies, and proceduresAll other duties as assigned or become evidentDisclaimerThe above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.Nothing in this job description restricts Danone North America rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibility to this job at any time.Danone North America is an equal employment and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other unlawful criterion.NON-ESSENTIAL:Materials and Equipment Directly Used:• Various Laboratory instruments and equipment to include manual and electronic devices; subject to change with business.• Office machinery including: computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.• Software including: Microsoft Office including OutlookPhysical Demands:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. The employee will lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Specific hearing requirements include ability to hear and perceive information at normal spoken volume levels.Work Environment:Work is performed throughout the facility and includes limited exposure to adverse conditions such as cold/hot areas and loud noise. Potential hazards include, but are not limited to, proximity of moving machinery, chemical exposure, noise, or heavy lifting. The position may require an individual to stand, stoop, move equipment; bend, reach, or lift for prolonged periods of time. PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, sanitary footwear, and any other devices prescribed for specific testing or routines.About youQUALIFICATIONS:This section identifies the minimum job specifications required to perform the job.A. Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesExcellent verbal and written communication skillsStrong teamwork skillsAbility to work without direct supervisionAbility to manage high pressure situations calmlyAbility to learn all functions of job within a reasonable amount of timeAbility to prioritize and multitaskProven decision-making abilityAbility to read, understand, and follow written instructionsAbility to keep accurate recordsProficiency in basic laboratory equipment (i.e. pipets, pH meters, balances)Ability to perform troubleshooting tasksProficiency in MS Office and basic PC skillsAbility to work various hours and shiftsCalifornia Food Handler CertificationAble to work overtime when requiredB. Education and Experience (Required)Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Bio-Technology, Food Science, or comparable program. (Or equivalent combination of education and experience).Achieve and maintain required certifications and trainingAbout DanoneAt Danone North America, you'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world likeActivia, Silk, Two Good, Oikos, Evian, and Happy Family.You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world:One Planet. One Health BY YOU.Danone North America doesn't just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We're proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect.http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdfhttps://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf