Quality Assurance Technician - 2nd Shift - Once Again Nut Butter : Job Details

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION:Position requires a strong Quality Team member on respective shift providing guidance to production and sanitation staff. Assure daily work is set-up correctly and completed along with special projects/requests. Communicate issues with production staff on shift and provide guidance on resolving issues. Inspect quality of product and work environment to ensure compliance with product and safety specifications by performing the following duties.ESSENTIAL/MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: •Adherence to and emulation of Company Core Values: Integrity, Respect and Commitment. Function as a high performing team member with the values that support trust, interdependency and teamwork consistent with our Mission, Vision and Core Values.•This position is directly responsible for food safety and quality.•Primary front-line quality and food safety decision-maker on the production floor.• Model the Way as a Quality Team member displaying compliance not only to guidelines such as quality and safety but also in how we interact with each other on a professional basis. Must possess a continuous learning attitude, being the technical resource, the team can count on when they have questions.•Ownership of the QA Hold process on respective shifts assuring accuracy of information, entry of information into the computer systems (spreadsheets) and hold logs, completion of Hold form, and timely communication to proper departments.•Ownership of the positive product release program. Provide required COAs upon release of products and any other required documents (internal or customer required).•Proficiency with laboratory equipment such as:o Microbiological (Solaris, pipette, ATP)o Physical (Grind Gauge, colorimeter, consistency/viscosity - Bostwick/Brookfield Viscometer)o Chemical (Aflatoxin, pH, salt, refractometer, water activity)•Provide training support for new quality technicians or cross training support for existing quality technicians as necessary. Provide feedback to SQF Practitioner/QA Supervisor on progress and development of trainees.•Must be a lifelong learner willing to learn and grow with the organization in both technical and non-technical areas.•Conduct required audits to support SQF System requirements and perform associated document reviews.•Aid in the decision-making process to resolve any quality or food safety issues that occur.•Support Lean/Continuous Improvement efforts within the organization.•Conduct required checks at prescribed frequencies during processing, line operation and product completion to ensure the quality of product and CCP verifications for HACCP.•Observe all safety rules and regulations for self and others.•Identify / resolve any quality issues with SQF Practitioner/QA Supervisor, production, sanitation, warehousing, etc. as appropriate.•Collect samples from products, raw materials, packaging, etc. needed for required testing and retention.•Conduct pre-sanitary equipment inspection checks (visual / ATP) and record results.•Manage the laboratory equipment calibrations, cleaning procedures, preventative maintenance, and all associated documents and records associated with said functions. Inform SQF Practitioner/QA Supervisor of any equipment that may need to be sent out for repair and/or calibration as necessary.•Conduct appropriate analytical and sensory testing on finished products to ensure the product is within specification and of good quality.•Maintain good housekeeping.•Conduct SOP reviews and revisions as needed and/or assigned.•Support activities associated with Mock Recall drills as required.•Support R&D activities as needed.•Provide support in responding to or investigating customer inquiries or complaints.•Perform other duties as requested.ESOP Members Responsibilities: Attend meetings and contribute to company agendas; take part at tradeshows of discussing the company's product to new customers; we insist upon quality to ensure our company's future.Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Additional duties/responsibilities if deemed necessary will be assigned by your direct supervisor or a member of management staff.Once Again Nut Butter provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:•To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies. The competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.•Analytical - Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.•Design - Generates creative solutions; Uses feedback to modify designs; Demonstrates attention to detail.•Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions.•Technical Skills - Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.•Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.•Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.•Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.•Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.•Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.•Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values.•Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.•Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.•Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.•Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.•Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:•One-year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.•HACCP - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point CertificateOTHER QUALIFICATIONS:Language Skills: •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 of customers or employees of organization.Mathematical Skills:•Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, rates, and ratios. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Statistical knowledge a plus.Reasoning Ability: •Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.Computer Skills: •To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of MS Explorer Internet software; Sage 100 Inventory software; MS Excel Spreadsheet software and MS Word Processing software.EXPERIENCE:Three to six months related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experienceOTHER:In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose an undue hardship on the company. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term qualified individual with a disability means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.PHYSICAL / GENERAL ACTIVITIES:•Reading, writing and communicating fluently in English•Mathematical Skills -Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.•Reasoning Ability - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.•Hearing and speaking to express ideas and/or exchange information in person or over the telephone•Vision - Seeing to read labels, posters, documents, PC screens, etc.•For plant/production positions, may involve standing for frequent and long periods of time - UP TO 4 HOURS.•Sitting, standing, moving about or walking for occasional or frequent periods of time•Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate production machinery and equipment/maintenance of productivity equipment and/or a computer keyboard and other office equipment•Kneeling, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching overhead•Retrieving and storing files and supplies; occasionally carrying and/or lifting objects with a weight of up to 50 lbs. in manufacturing facility and up to 20 lbs. within office setting.WORKING CONDITIONS: •General office setting AND/OR combination of office and production/manufacturing facility•General factory and/or warehouse setting•May include Indoor and outdoor environment•Must be able to adhere to and work with a safe working culturePhysical Demands: •The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.•While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.Work Environment: •The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.•While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme heat and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can vary from quiet to noisy when moving between the testing laboratory and the production floor.