QA Technician

Job Summary

Ensures all records pertaining to HACCP, Pre-requisite programs, and SSOPs are reviewed for accuracy and any deficiencies are identified Supply ordering for quality-related equipment, supplies, and services. Reporting of internal and external Quality and Production-related metrics.

Role and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform analytical testing including but not limited to pH, sodium, color, drain weight, water activity. brix & moisture.
• Performs verification of food safety and quality checks established in the KC-Everett Plant's HACCP/FSMA and Preventive Control Programs.
• Ensure Food Safety and Regulatory compliance of sanitation practices. Provide on the floor QA support to help with the investigation and troubleshooting of any food safety
• quality, or process control related issues.
• Assists QA management in the collection of data for the purpose of improving products and systems as necessary as it relates to food safety and quality (Statistical Process Controls)
• Ensure work areas on the floor follow plant GMP requirements and meet all local, state and federal regulations.
• Perform verification system checks to ensure sanitation systems are on track including daily pre- operational sanitation checks (inspections, APC, ATP, and Environmental monitoring.)
• Assist QA and R&D as needed during special batch runs.
• Assist QA and Operations in conformance checks of ingredients, packaging, and finished product to ensure they meet established specifications.
• Work in a safe manner and follow all Kettle Cuisine standards, along with Federal, State, and Local regulations for occupational safety.
• Assist QA and site in accomplishing the KC-Everett Plant and QA departmental goals and objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

• 2-year technical degree or 4-year college program in Food Science, Quality or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of HACCP and USDA/FDA regulations
• HACCP certification preferred. Inventory and database management experience preferred.
• Ability to identify and create processes and write procedures.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or of the business community.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Works, Excel
• Thrives in a challenging, entrepreneurial atmosphere; open to change and creating change.
• Computer skills - extensive knowledge of MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and an email system.

Technical Experience:

Required attributes

• Ability to multitask with an extremely high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team player, generates enthusiasm, and builds effective working environment.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Positive attitude and motivated by contributing to the overall success of the team

• Able to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Obsessive attention to detail, well organized, and able to juggle many projects at once
• Comfortable moving at a fast pace and in ambiguous environments
• Passionate about food
• Willing to address difficult situations head-on with patience and respect

Within the Kettle Cuisine Team You Are Expected To:

• Model and support Kettle's Core Values and safety culture
• Create a culture of accountability & performance
• Drive a focus on quality and continuous improvement
• Plan work, track results and resolve variances

LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Works with little supervision, but work is reviewed. Exercises discretion within areas of responsibility.
• Recommends actions and alternatives to supervisor and others.
• Position has little to no contact with customers.
• Position makes indirect contribution to efforts that generate moderate levels of revenue.
• Decisions or actions may have a moderate impact on other departments and/or external relationships of the organization. Errors are usually detected after the fact and may result in moderate interruption and delays in work output.

Compensation: $21.00-$26.00/hour (DOE) plus shift differentials if applicable ($1 on 2nd shift, $2 on 3rd shift)

Kettle Cuisine offers the following benefits at low cost or no cost:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance

• 401K Matching

• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Leave

• Paid Holidays

• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance

• Tuition Assistance

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Corporate Trainer encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands/Efforts

• Work requires occasional physical exertion, including some lifting of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Mental & Visual Demands

• Work performed by this position requires moderate concentration to effectively execute moderately complex tasks.
• Work occasionally requires some degree of visual effort for periods of time.

Work Environment and Hazards

• Employee works in a manufacturing setting with some exposure to heat, cold, dust, or other factors of minor inconvenience.
• The position has some exposure to hazards that might cause minor injury.
• Must have availability and flexibility to work different shifts and days, sometimes for weeks at a time, to provide support and training to all of our employees. Must be able to work weekends and overtime as required.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Kettle Cuisine complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and/or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training and any other conditions or privileges of employment.

CORE VALUES

Kettle Cuisine takes the utmost pride in its people, products and reputation. Each employee is expected to understand and live our Core Values every day.

• Honor Food – We create and produce the best tasting, safest, all-natural recipes that strive for perfection in every batch, from bench to kettle
• Honor Each Other – We seek to develop trusting, respectful and mutually rewarding relationships with all our team members and business partners
• Honor Development – We recognize and nurture each other's talents, strengths and interests in order to further strengthen and grow our team
• Honor Innovation – We continually strive for creative and sustainable ways to achieve excellence