Quality Assurance Technician

Job Description
At Bakemex, how we work is defined by shared values that include absolute integrity, respect, and collaboration. However, it's more than that; it's smart and highly driven people united in purpose to serve one another.
Bring your energy and unique perspective and you'll have the opportunity to grow with us professionally, personally, and financially. You will be part of a team that genuinely cares about helping you succeed, and you will work alongside talented colleagues while making a difference in our communities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform pre-operational checks before production starts to make sure entire production lines meets sanitary safety requirements.
• Develop, verify, document, and maintain all the batch reports.
• Verify the monitoring activities to assure finished product complies with food safety and quality specifications. Product Pre-shipping.
• Responsible for identifying deviations in the process flow. Perform root cause analysis, corrective action, and follow-up on preventing reoccurrence.
• Understand the USDA requirements, maintain compliance with USDA regulations and work closely with the USDA to ensure all the paperwork is done correctly.
• Verify the lot numbers, best before date, etc. and approve the labels prior to packaging.
• Perform weekly Listeria swabs.
• Coordinate with Sanitation and Production departments to develop effective solutions to improve the process with safety measures.
• Continuously train production crew on GMP's, Food safety and Batch reports to achieve zero errors during USDA inspection and audits.
• Inspect building exteriors and interiors daily.
• Perform glass and brittle plastic checks.
• Conduct internal audits, mock recalls (once per year), and mock traceability (twice per year).
• Strictly adhere to compliance with the quality and safety policies.
• Inspect, test and release raw materials and finished goods in compliance with specifications.
• Inspections of incoming and outgoing trucks for Food Safety concerns
• Perform line checks of production operations including, but not limited to: GMP's, packaging weights, labeling information coding, SPC charts, Food Safety (HACCP), SOP's, record keeping, and general sanitation housekeeping.
• Place non-conforming materials and equipment on hold.
• Each team member is responsible for ensuring food safety, legality and quality standards are always maintained in their area.
• Conduct audits for Process Control Points, Incoming product, and Finished goods.
• Utilize Food Safety Plan (HAACP) and GMPs to meet government guidelines and regulations.
• Monitor and verify plant compliance with company sanitation regulations, and Food Safety (HACCP) requirements.
• Communicate with production managers, supervisors, and lead-persons on all food safety issues.
• Inspect, test and release raw materials and finished goods in compliance with specifications using various chemical, microbiological, physical, and organoleptic methods as defined for the item.
• Support for SQF System.
• Ensure that prerequisite programs are followed and documented.
• Report any deviation from a quality and food safety requirement.
• Test, evaluate, and document results while following procedures.
• Troubleshoot and take corrective action on the line.
• Assist production in resolving Food Safety and Quality Control issues, tracking quality trends, recommending, and implementing plans to improve quality and production efficiency.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment.
• Perform direct observation verification of critical control monitoring.
• Ensure that critical control points are being monitored correctly and documented accurately.
• Experience in quality control testing procedures and internal and external sanitation of production equipment with a clear understanding of all aspects of blending, product attributes recordkeeping, and yields.
• Other duties as assigned related to the function.

Quality

• Ensure compliance with the master cleaning program at the facilities.
• Ensure the execution of the HACCP program in the different production processes.

Safety
Comply with and enforce safety standards and procedures at the facilities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Detailed knowledge and track record of successful implementation of food manufacturing policies and procedures (GMP).
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common information, reports and other documents.
• Self-motivated, confident, energetic and possess the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment.
• Ability to prioritize and execute aggressive goals, objectives, and action items.
• Must be flexible in adapting to changing environments.
• Advanced communication skills and demonstrated professional etiquette.
• Have a thorough understanding of FDA and /or USDA inspected manufacturing facilities.
• Knowledge of GMP, SOP, and Food Safety (HACCP) Requirements.
• Ability to perform recalls and Traceability practices.
• Ability to perform Environmental Swabs on a USDA area. (Lm Program)
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead and motivate others to be successful and improve results.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions.
• Working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office applications -- Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands and deal with frequent change, delays and or unexpected events.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures such as managing files, records, and forms, creating reports and spreadsheets, and other office procedures and terminology as needed.
• Ability to manage difficult customer, vendor, and team member situations; respond promptly to customer, vendor and employee needs, and requests for assistance.
• Ability to follow instructions, respond to management direction and solicit feedback to improve performance.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instruction, and procedures manuals in both English and Spanish. Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in written form effectively with co-workers, departments, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to do simple math, such as subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Ability to perform but not limited to the following tasks be familiar with and able to interpret packing slips, enter the computer the correct information, to acknowledge receipt of the goods into the purchase order and processing database.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities and use time efficiently.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret and resolve problem issues using a variety of instructions or guides furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Utilize standard mechanical and electrical instruments, functional gauges, and test rigs.
• Ability to demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness, monitor own work to ensure quality and apply feedback to improve performance.
• Ability to meet productivity standards and complete work in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain proper housekeeping and safety standards, and personal protective equipment and safety devices. Ability to perform safe operation of all machinery, tools and equipment and observe security procedures.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma and certification.
• 3-4 years of experience in the field of food safety and Quality Assurance.
• Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS:
The physical demands and work conditions below represent those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Some requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities:

• Constant physical demands, including reaching, carrying, seeing, bending, walking, and moving in the facility.
• Will be exposed to shop elements such as noise, dust, odors, fumes, oils.
• Will work regularly near moving equipment.
• Team members are expected to be available to work in all areas of production.
• The temperature of the work area may be affected by outside temperatures and machinery.
• Utilization of safety equipment such as glasses, helmets, goggles, clothing, and other materials and equipment that may be necessary for the production and packaging of the factory operation.
• Required to lift up to 50 lbs.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.