1st Shift Technician QA - Woodrow

Johnsonville, LLC.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Short-term disability

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Salm Partners is hiring for a Quality Inspector to perform inspections, sanitation checks, and compliance tasks in a USDA-FSIS regulated facility in Denmark, WI. The role supports GMP adherence and QA hold decisions as needed.

You will collect samples, track data, and assist with daily QA operations, including liaising with USDA representatives and maintaining logs. Strong attention to detail and computer skills are essential.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalency is normally required.
• An Associate's degree in Quality or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Comply with all SQF and USDA regulatory issues and food safety requirements, and act as Food Safety Representative.
• Complete a facility-wide pre-op visual inspection to confirm sanitation status of production areas prior to beginning daily production; write up Corrective Actions as needed.
• Conduct SSOP inspections twice per shift while plant is in production; complete inspection form and file.
• Communicate daily with the USDA representative, addressing all issues in a timely manner.
• Review Certificates of Analysis for all received raw goods.
• Assist with brine setup; take water samples and maintain hourly salt/brine log tracking to specification.
• Ensure compliance to HACCP Plan by completing periodic net weight checks, color readings, Perfect Package checks, hourly temperature checks, etc.
• Collect product samples during production; conduct length/weight analyses, sensory evaluations and complete forms.
• Collect and package product samples for FSNS testing; complete submission forms.
• Check Metal Detector Rejections and Leaker logs for completeness and maintain file.
• Calibrate test equipment and verify scales for accuracy.
• Monitor cooler temperatures daily.
• Complete pathogen swabs and water sample checks periodically.
• Collect in-process cook/chill data using Data Logger weekly; download data for review.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem solving

Reading/comprehension

Excel

Word

Outlook

Education

Associate's degree in Quality or related field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MAS 500

Job description

We are a leading manufacturer of premium, ready-to-eat link sausages and hot dogs. The company was founded in 2004 by four brothers, Chris, Joe, Mark, and Pete Salm. They partnered their individual talents together to create our organization, using the “partnership” concept as the cornerstone for our success. Since then, we have expanded and have two production plants with over 1,000 partners in Denmark, WI. In 2023, Johnsonville purchased Salm Partners to help grow not only its own ready-to-eat sausage business, but the ready-to-eat sausage category as a whole. The combination of the country’s most trusted retail sausage brand (Johnsonville) with the industry leading manufacturer (Salm Partners) has created a world class organization. We are committed to growth as a company and to our partners!

Position Overview

Performs inspections and testing activities and maintains records related to the quality control of all product manufactured within the facility, and completes sanitation activities for the production areas as needed, in compliance with all safety, food safety, SQF, GMP and USDA-FSIS requirements. Acts as Food Safety Representative.

Position located at 590 Woodrow Street, Denmark, WI

Hours are 6am-2pm Monday - Friday; Saturadays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Comply with all SQF and USDA regulatory issues and food safety requirements, and act as Food Safety Representative.
• Complete a facility-wide pre-op visual inspection to confirm sanitation status of production areas prior to beginning daily production; write up Corrective Actions as needed, and address and resolve issues prior to start-up.
• Conduct Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) inspections twice per shift while plant is in production; complete inspection form and file.
• Communicate daily with the USDA representative, addressing all issues in a timely manner.
• Review Certificates of Analysis for all received raw goods.
• Assist Stuffing Room Operators with brine set-up; take water samples and maintain hourly salt/brine log tracking to specification.
• Ensure compliance to HACCP Plan by completing periodic net weight checks, color readings, Perfect Package checks, hourly temperature checks, hourly metal detector checks, drive unit/water temperature checks, salt pH/temperature checks, and assisting with smoke tests as needed.
• Collect product samples during the production run; conduct length/weight analyses, periodic sensory evaluations and complete appropriate forms.
• Collect and package product samples for testing by Food Safety Net Service (FSNS) daily; complete Sample Submission forms.
• Check Metal Detector Rejections and Leaker logs for completeness and maintain file.
• Calibrate test equipment (pH meter, colorimeter, thermometers, etc.) and verify scales for accuracy throughout the facility.
• Monitor the cooler temperatures daily.
• Complete pathogen swabs and water sample checks periodically.
• Collect in-process cook/chill data using Data Logger probe weekly; download data from probe to spreadsheet for review and analysis.
• Maintain Reprocessed Product Logs, entering process/reprocess date and new code date into the system, and maintaining files.
• Collect information and documentation related to foreign material incidents.
• Assist with the decision to place product on QA Hold or remove from Hold as necessary; send Hold notifications to communicate, complete appropriate forms and update the Hold Log.
• Participate in organoleptics to evaluate product for extended shelf life, formulation changes, etc.
• Ensure partner compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as required.
• Follows all lockout/tag-out procedures without fail.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations per established company policies.
• Support the Lean Manufacturing initiatives of the company.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education

A minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalency is normally required. An Associate's degree in Quality or related field is preferred.

Experience

Previous Quality experience in a USDA-FSIS regulated food manufacturing environment would also be preferred. If non-degreed, must normally have a minimum of 6 months experience as a production Line Worker with Backup QA experience.

Skills

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have a strong attention to detail and be able to work with a high degree of accuracy. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and with changing environmental conditions, including heat, cold and wet.

Other Requirements

Communication Skills

Must possess strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Computer Skills

Must possess basic computer proficiencies in a Windows environment, preferably with Word, Excel, and Outlook. Previous Internet experience and MAS 500 or related integrated manufacturing software system is strongly preferred.

Mathematical Skills

Must have basic, accurate math skills.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, verbal, and/or diagram form. Must have strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the partner is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The partner is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Must occasionally lift boxes of product weighing up to 30#. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception, close vision and color vision. Must have a sense of taste and smell in order to complete sensory evaluations of product.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There is a wide variation of temperatures, ranging from 35° F to 100° F in the various production work areas. The work environment is wet and slippery most times. The noise level in the production work environment is usually loud. Partners are required to wear slip-resistant footwear, frocks, hairnets and hearing protection at all times on the production floor. Gloves, goggles, face shields, rain suits, and rubber boots will be required at different times in the course of the work being performed.

Benefits and Compensation

Full-time Partners at Salm have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support their well-being and future. This includes a 401(k) with a company match, health, dental, and vision coverage, as well as an optional Health Savings Account (HSA). Salm also provides company-paid short-term disability and life insurance policies. Full-time Partners enjoy paid time off (PTO) and the opportunity to grow within a values-driven and team-focused environment. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and position.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Salm Partners is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.

At Salm, we're committed to being a good partner in our co-manufacturer relationships and in our community. That's why we call our employees "Partners."

When you work for Salm Partners, we work with you to create an avenue of growth for your career.