2nd Shift- Quality Technician- Shipping & Receiving Docks

Harvest Food Group; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 36,104,140 - 60,173,568; Full time

Job summary

Harvest Food Group in East Chicago, IN is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to monitor food safety and quality during receiving and shipping operations. This role ensures compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.

In addition, the Quality Assurance Technician will serve as a backup for the COA Technician, supporting the management and verification of Certificates of Analysis.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Quality Technician in a USDA-regulated facility.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including second shift.
• Strong multitasking and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented with attention to detail.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• QA/QC experience preferred.
• Experience in label reconciliation and product quality inspections.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections of raw materials and ingredients to ensure compliance with approved product specifications.
• Inspect product returns from customers to verify food safety and quality.
• Perform label reconciliation activities for all incoming ingredients and raw materials.
• Verify packaging against approved graphics.
• Confirm ingredients, raw materials, and packaging are sourced from approved suppliers.
• Inspect transportation for compliance with food safety requirements, including cleanliness, temperature, allergens, and trailer conditions.
• Verify lot code assignments and labeling accuracy for incoming goods.
• Notify QA Lead/Management of deviations and assist with corrective actions.
• Ensure accuracy and availability of all paperwork (purchase orders, BOLs, COAs, product specifications, packaging graphics).
• Place products on hold when necessary.
• Verify outbound shipments for correct product, packaging condition, and labeling.
• Calibrate handheld and laser thermometers.
• Conduct GMP checks in warehouse areas and take corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor storage area temperatures.
• Support other QA department tasks as assigned.
• Manage inbound and outbound COAs.
• Review inbound schedules daily and request missing COAs.
• Verify supplier COAs against approved specifications and file appropriately.
• Generate customer COAs, accounting for specific customer requirements.
• Submit Costco COAs for Kirkland Organic Broccoli via Azzule.
• Provide COAs and supporting information to Summit Cold Storage for product receipt.
• Report product damages and discrepancies in receiving paperwork to vendors.
• Coordinate product returns to suppliers, including RMAs.
• Support QA Technicians at docks with product specifications, COAs, and lot code breakdowns.
• Assist QA Manager and Regulatory Affairs Supervisor with general inquiries.
• Administer the product hold program as required.
• Perform lot maintenance, including expiration date updates.

Skills

QA/QC experience

Flexible hours

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Fast-paced environment

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Bilingual

USDA-regulated

Label reconciliation

Product quality inspections

Job description

Job Details

• Level: Experienced
• Job Location: East Chicago, IN 46312
• Salary Range: $21.00 - $21.00 Hourly
• Job Category: Manufacturing
• Reports to: FSQA Manager
• FLSA Status: Non - Exempt

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for monitoring food safety and quality during receiving and shipping operations. This role ensures compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications. In addition, the Quality Assurance Technician will serve as a backup for the COA Technician, supporting the management and verification of Certificates of Analysis.

Key Responsibilities

The following are essential job duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs. Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is required to effectively perform the responsibilities of this role.

• Conduct inspections of raw materials and ingredients to ensure compliance with approved product specifications.
• Inspect product returns from customers to verify that food safety and quality have not been compromised.
• Perform label reconciliation activities for all incoming ingredients and raw materials.
• Verify packaging against approved graphics.
• Confirm that all ingredients, raw materials, and packaging are sourced from approved suppliers.
• Inspect transportation for compliance with food safety requirements, including cleanliness, temperature, allergens, and trailer conditions.
• Verify lot code assignments and labeling accuracy for incoming goods.
• Notify QA Lead/Management and warehouse management of deviations and assist with corrective actions.
• Ensure accuracy and availability of all paperwork (purchase orders, BOLs, COAs, product specifications, packaging graphics).
• Place products on hold when necessary.
• Verify outbound shipments for correct product, packaging condition, and labeling.
• Calibrate handheld and laser thermometers.
• Conduct GMP checks in warehouse areas and take corrective actions as needed.
• Monitor storage area temperatures.
• Support other QA department tasks as assigned.
• Manage inbound and outbound COAs.
• Review inbound schedules daily and request missing COAs.
• Verify supplier COAs against approved specifications and file appropriately.
• Generate customer COAs, accounting for specific customer requirements.
• Submit Costco COAs for Kirkland Organic Broccoli via Azzule.
• Provide COAs and supporting information to Summit Cold Storage for product receipt.
• Report product damages and discrepancies in receiving paperwork to vendors.
• Coordinate product returns to suppliers, including Return Authorization Materials (RMAs).
• Support QA Technicians at docks with product specifications, COAs, and lot code breakdowns.
• Assist QA Manager and Regulatory Affairs Supervisor with general inquiries.
• Administer the product hold program as required.
• Perform lot maintenance, including expiration date updates.

Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Quality Technician in a USDA-regulated facility preferred.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including second shift.
• Strong multitasking and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented and detail-focused.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Prior QA/QC experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in label reconciliation and product quality inspections.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and climb as needed.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including second shift.
• Ability to stand, bend, and climb stairs for extended periods (10–12 hours per day).
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments (32–36°F).

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in the launch of a next-generation facility
• Work with a collaborative and innovation-driven team
• Help deliver high-quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers
• Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability