FSQ Technician I - nights
SunOpta
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
SunOpta is hiring a Quality Assurance Technician I to test and inspect products through production, compile data, and ensure quality and reliability. You will release ingredients and finished goods, perform microbial and chemical analyses, and report results against specifications.
The role emphasizes GMP adherence, proper sampling, calibration of equipment, and routine QC audits. A high school diploma or GED is required, with preference for Food Science or Microbiology background and 2+ years
Qualifications
- High School diploma or GED; background in Food Science or Microbiology preferred.
- Basic math skills for averages, dilutions, and measurements.
- Reading and writing in English required.
Responsibilities
- Release for ingredients and finished goods.
- Perform micro testing including plating and interpreting results against specs.
- Conduct preoperational inspections and ATP/micro swabs validation.
- Analyze incoming ingredients; perform chemical, micro and physical tests; file COAs.
- Test finished products per customer specs; report results.
- Sample taking; calibrate lab equipment; maintain housekeeping and QC audits.
- Communicate safety risks and participate in safety programs.
- Coach and train teammates as needed; support teamwork and development.
Skills
Education
Job description
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
Quality Assurance Technician I is responsible for testing and inspecting products at various stages of production, compiles and evaluates statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products by performing the following duties.
- Responsible for the official release for all ingredients and finished goods.
- Micro duties which include plating, reading and interpreting results against known specifications. This requires basic math skills of averaging and knowledge of making dilutions. Various micro testing is conducted on powders, liquids, swabs, filters and air samples.
- Preoperational Inspections. This requires inspecting equipment before production startup and taking ATP and micro swabs to validate results.
- Incoming Ingredient analysis. This requires compositing powder samples, running various chemical, micro and physical analytical testing and reporting these results on a Certificate of Analysis. Results are compared against known standards for interpretation.
- Finished product analysis. All finished product has a Certificate of Analysis generated on it. Testing is in accordance to customer specifications which vary per product. Various tests may include Standard Plate count, Coliform, yeast & mold, viscosities, particle size, bulk density, moisture, solids, Dextrose Equivalency, protein, fat, scorched particle, PH, titratable acidity, flavor and separable solids. New tests may be brought in by the customer for their particular product.
- Sample taking. Aseptic samples are taken twice per shift from various ports located throughout the facility. Finished product bags may have to be sampled for troubleshooting purposes.
- Calibrating lab equipment
- Prepares chemical solutions according to standard formulas.
- Housekeeping – responsible for keeping work area clean and other various areas listed on the master cleaning schedule.
- Does various QC audits throughout the facility.
None
- Planning and organizing. The ability to prioritize and use time efficiently
- Communication – needs to be able to effectively communicate discrepancies to Supervisor and key staff personnel when a problem is detected
- Quality – demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness. Detail oriented.
- Quantity – must be able to multitask and completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly.
- Dependability – follows written instructions and Standard Operating Procedures, takes responsibilities for own actions, good attendance record.
- Ability to smell and taste
- Must be able to interpret various test results that involve color analysis.
- Understands and demonstrates safe behaviors
- Provides feedback to production employees regarding safe behaviors
- Document safety risks and communicates them appropriately
- Serves an active role in the plant safety program by attending safety meetings and participating in monthly safety inspections
- Understands and demonstrates good GMPs
- Understands sanitation processes thoroughly
- Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines
- Responsible for compliance to the HACCP for each process
- Reviews batch records for accuracy, neatness and completion. Document all incidents and deviations.
- Ensures MSS tasks are distributed evenly and completed in a timely manner
- Maintain a clean and organized work environment
- Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors
- Maintain communication with employees and management
- Reduce downtime due to changeovers, scheduling, breakdowns
- Conduct accurate and complete Tier 1 shift handoff
- Communicate necessary maintenance plans and schedules
- Promotes and contributes to the development of teamwork among other coworkers
- Assists in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team
- Continuous improvement of knowledge of the soy base process
High School diploma or GED. Background in Food Science or Microbiology preferred. Basic keyboarding skills are helpful but not necessary. Preferably at least two years’ experience in food manufacturing.
Candidate must possess the knowledge and understanding of basic math skills including weight calculations, averages and percentages. Must be able to read and write in English.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills critical
Must be able to work 12 hr shift as well as overnight.
None as part of normal job requirement; but travel to other facilities for training may be required
Approximately; 100% of work is performed in a manufacturing facility which is not climate controlled and may contain allergens. Must be able to lift a minimum of 10 pounds, occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds, climb stairs, stand, kneel or crouch for long periods of time.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid Family leave
- Paid maternity leave
- 401(k) with Match
- Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition assistance
- Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid Family leave
- Paid maternity leave
- 401(k) with Match
- Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition assistance
- Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
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