FSQA Lead Technician 2nd Shift

John Soules Foods; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Sick days

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

401k with company match

Telemedicine

Onsite Clinic – Tyler and Valley

Free annual health screening

STD and LTD

Life insurance

Job summary

John Soules Foods is seeking a Quality Assurance Lead Technician to support the QA Supervisor in enforcing plant-level food safety and quality systems. The role focuses on HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and strict adherence to product specifications and documentation accuracy.

The Lead Technician will monitor QA programs, stop lines when safety is at risk, and coordinate with production teams to ensure compliance and timely corrective actions across all production areas.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs) and ability to enforce policies.
• Strong organizational skills and data/documentation accuracy.
• English proficiency required; bilingual or Spanish a plus.
• Willingness to work overtime and weekends as needed.
• Intermediate computer skills and accurate data entry.

Responsibilities

• Monitor HACCP programs and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Enforce GMPs, SSOPs, and QA programs across the plant.
• Document, report, and communicate deficiencies to leadership and production teams.

Skills

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Food safety knowledge

English proficiency

Flexible schedule

Job description

Job Title

Quality Assurance Lead Technician 2 nd

Location

Gainesville, GA

Department

Quality Assurance RTE

Reports To

Quality Assurance Supervisor RTE

Normal Work Schedule

The typical working hours are 3:00 pm to 12:30 pm, with a 30-minute lunch.

Overview Of Company

John Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple® drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA. We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr., and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth, it now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Lead Technician supports the Quality Assurance Supervisor in managing and enforcing plant-level food safety and quality systems. This role has primary responsibility for monitoring and enforcing HACCP programs, GMPs, SSOPs, QA programs, product specifications, and documentation accuracy. The Lead Technician plays a key role in ensuring regulatory compliance, food safety, and adherence to company standards across all production areas.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including HACCP, GMPs, and SSOPs. Intermediate computer proficiency, including accurate data entry, documentation, and electronic filing. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of plant staff and management. Ability to enforce food safety, quality policies, and product specifications in a firm yet respectful manner. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail. High energy, self-starter with the ability to complete tasks in a timely manner. English proficiency is required; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus. Willingness to work flexible schedules, including overtime and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

A minimum of two years of experience in a food processing or manufacturing environment is preferred. Previous experience as a QA Technician or QA Lead Technician is preferred. Familiarity with regulatory requirements including USDA, FDA, and third-party audits is preferred. Knowledge of company products, processes, and production equipment is also preferred.

Key Responsibilities

NOTE: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs; these duties are considered marginal.

The Quality Assurance Lead Technician monitors all HACCP programs within the plant to ensure regulatory compliance. This role monitors Good Manufacturing Practices throughout the facility and ensures strict adherence to established standards. The technician identifies, documents, and reports food safety and quality deficiencies to the Quality Assurance Supervisor and Plant Manager and communicates deficiencies to production and sanitation personnel in a clear, professional, and respectful manner. The position is responsible for monitoring all SSOP programs to ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation requirements and verifying the effectiveness of pre-operational and operational sanitation activities.

The Quality Assurance Lead Technician ensures all QA documentation is completed accurately, legibly, and in accordance with company requirements and maintains proper filing of all quality records. This role monitors and enforces all QA programs across the plant, initiates corrective actions in accordance with established procedures, and follows up to ensure proper resolution of all issues. The technician monitors raw and ready-to-eat products throughout the production process to ensure compliance with product specifications, verifies that all products meet established specifications, and assists production personnel in correcting deviations. When specification deviations are not corrected or food safety is at risk, the technician has the authority to stop production lines. All specification deviations, corrective actions, and recommendations for specification changes are communicated to production leadership, the Quality Assurance Supervisor, and the Plant Manager.

Work Environment

The Quality Assurance Lead Technician works primarily on the production floor and may be exposed to cold and/or hot environments, food-related odors, spice aromas, dust particles, and production noise. This position requires frequent interaction with production and sanitation teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Proper use of required personal protective equipment is mandatory to comply with company safety and food safety policies.

Physical Demands

This position requires standing and walking for up to seventy-five percent of the shift, bending, reaching, and climbing stairs. The employee must be able to lift up to fifteen pounds frequently and up to fifty pounds infrequently. The role requires the ability to use hands and arms, communicate verbally, and perform detailed inspections and paperwork requiring sustained focus. Vision requirements include close, distance, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following

• Vacation
• Sick days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• 401k with company match
• Telemedicine
• Onsite Clinic – Tyler and Valley
• Free annual health screening
• STD and LTD
• Life insurance

John Soules Foods is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Applicants with disabilities needing accommodation during the application process can contact Human Resources at the relevant location.

John Soules Foods will not discriminate against applicants who discuss their compensation. We also participate in the E-Verify program where required by law.

Unsolicited Assistance:

Soules Foods does not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for U.S. positions. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted without a valid written request and search agreement from HR will be considered the property of Soules Foods. No fees will be paid for candidates hired through unsolicited referrals.