Qa Technician

FLSA: Hourly, non-exempt

Working Hours: 11am-7pm, Monday-Friday

Starting Rate: $23.50/ hour

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician will be working with the Quality, Production and Sanitation departments to ensure that the highest safety, quality, and productivity standards are achieved. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work as part of a team, have attention to detail and be diligent to maintain compliance with procedures.

The QA Technician will lead by example and directly supervise all quality control and quality assurance tasks on the production floor. They will be responsible for ensuring that products are produced in compliance with specifications and records are maintained. This includes taking temperatures, measurements, weights and tracking documentation. The QA Technician will keep the Production Manager and the QA Manager informed of any quality concerns and changes needed to the process. They will also work closely with the Managers and Supervisors to ensure that the Production team performs in compliance with all food safety and quality requirements. The ideal candidate will work from 11am to 7pm with some flexibility to cover shifts as needed with advanced notice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB TASKS

• Supervise all Critical Control Points and key process points at the Bakery (temperature checks, water activity, x-ray inspection, labeling, etc.)
• Ensure completion and accuracy of all daily paperwork (batch sheets, QA checklists, daily inspections, weekly calibrations, etc.)
• Verify equipment settings and process compliance
• Communicate with the Production Supervisors and Managers to make adjustments to processes based on changing environmental conditions, equipment status, etc.
• Test finished products to ensure compliance with specifications
• Help train employees on proper procedures
• Maintain QA Hold log
• Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Share information and keep co-workers, managers and team abreast of issues as needed;
• Maintaining and organizing records in compliance with the applicable regulations
• Communicate daily with the Production Supervisors and Managers to facilitate coordination and cooperation across all three departments (i.e. Sanitation, Production and Maintenance).
• Propose solutions to improve quality across all product lines and processes
• Participate in meetings (team meetings and one-on-one check ins) to provide and receive feedback
• Other duties as assigned depending on the Company and Team’s needs

REQUIRED SKILL, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES

• Advanced time management to balance multiple daily responsibilities and ensuring timelines of activities
• Is precise and accurate and pays attention to the details to ensure high quality.
• Follows instructions, responds to management direction. Takes responsibility for own actions.
• Develops and fosters strong relationships with the team and delivers exceptional results. Contributes to building a positive work environment and supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Communicates clearly and effectively in writing, on phone, and in person.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot issues and use judgment to elevate issues appropriately.
• Effective communication skills, able to handle sensitive conversations
• Analyzes problems, identifies probable cause, researches and designs solutions. Is committed to finding the best answer within time constraints.
• Tackles opportunities to improve the quality of processes, products, and service to the team through ongoing refinements in response to continuous feedback; emphasizes the importance of quality, organization, and excellence in the organization.
• Has a good understanding of food safety and takes interest in learning proper procedures from printed resources (i.e. manuals), communications with the suppliers, and/or trainings or other instructional materials.
• Adapts to changing work environments, including changes in priorities, resource availability, and protocols. Is willing to wear multiple hats.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of food production experience preferred, in the bakery or snack industry preferred
• 1+ year of experience in food QA/QC
• Proven success in a high SKU production environment preferred
• Strong analytical, problem solving, lean thinking skills
• Knowledge of food safety risks, including allergen safety, CCPs, cleaning procedures, etc. and desire to learn more
• Attention to detail is a must
• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, and Google Suite (Google Doc, Sheet, Gmail, etc.)
• Ability to read and write in English a requirement
• Bilingual in English and Cape Verdean Creole a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working hours 11am-7pm
• Prolonged standing for extended periods
• Lifting/pushing/pulling/carrying up to 60 pounds
• Squatting and bending repeatedly
• Working with one or both hands extended overhead

BENEFITS

Benefits for full time employees include partial employer funded medical, dental, vision, employer funded life insurance, 401k with company match, paid time off, paid holidays, paid breaks, and commuter benefits.

ABOUT US

We are an inclusive food company that creates better food for our bodies, our communities and our amazing planet. Using seeds as our foundation, 88 Acres is redefining the world of free-from and plant-based foods. As a female founded/led and mission-driven company, we built our own bakery in the inner-city of Boston to fuel purposeful jobs into an area of need, ensure safety for those with food allergies and craft that made at-home goodness we all crave. At our certified top 9 allergen-free bakery, we create lines of Seed Butters, Seed + Oat and Protein Bars, and Seed’Nola (upcycled granola clusters that make 88 Acres a zero food waste operation). Since our launch in 2015, we've been fortunate to share our foods with some amazing partners and communities such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Delta, Jamba, Boston Public Schools, and many more.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

88 Acres is an equal opportunity employer. 88 Acres will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state and local laws

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.