Poultry QA Tech

Koch Foods; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401k Savings Plan

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Weekly Pay Check

On-the-Job Training Provided

Promotional Career Opportunities

Personal Protective Equipment provided

Job summary

KOCH FOODS INC. is seeking a QA Technician to monitor and verify food-safety, quality, and regulatory requirements across poultry processing.

You will inspect, collect samples, document results, and collaborate with Production, Sanitation and Food Safety teams to ensure compliance with company standards and USDA/FSIS regulations. The role emphasizes routine inspections, record-keeping, and participation in internal and external audits, with opportunities for training and advancement in a

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; associate or bachelor's in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Animal Science, or related field preferred.
• Experience in poultry processing, food manufacturing, quality assurance, or food safety preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and basic food-safety principles.
• Familiarity with USDA/FSIS requirements preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify product/ process deficiencies.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently within established procedures.
• Basic computer skills including email and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine quality and food-safety inspections.
• Monitor production processes to ensure compliance with HACCP plans, SSOPs, GMPs, and food-safety requirements.
• Monitor product temperatures, chilling processes, handling practices, and processing conditions.
• Perform quality checks on incoming materials, work-in-process, and finished poultry products.
• Perform ATP, microbiological, chemical, or other verification testing as required.
• Monitor foreign material, contamination, defects, product appearance, packaging, labeling, and other quality attributes.
• Document nonconformances and communicate issues to QA management and production personnel.
• Maintain accurate QA records, inspection forms, test results, and production documentation.
• Assist with internal audits, customer audits, USDA/FSIS inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Communicate food-safety concerns immediately to appropriate management.
• Support employee training related to GMPs, food safety, hygiene, quality, and company procedures.
• Follow all company safety policies and maintain required PPE and sanitation practices.
• Perform other duties assigned by the QA Supervisor, QA Manager, or Food Safety Manager.

Skills

HACCP knowledge

GMPs/SSOPs

USDA/FSIS familiarity

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Independent work

Basic computer skills

Data entry

Education

Associate or Bachelor's in Food Science/Biology/Microbiology/Animal Science

Tools

MS Office/Email

Job description

The QA Technician is responsible for monitoring and verifying food-safety, quality, and regulatory requirements throughout poultry processing operations. This position performs inspections, collects samples, maintains accurate records, and works with Production, Sanitation, and Food Safety teams to ensure products meet company, customer, USDA/FSIS, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine quality and food-safety inspections.
  
• Monitor production processes to ensure compliance with company procedures, HACCP plans, SSOPs, GMPs, and food-safety requirements.
  
• Monitor product temperatures, chilling processes, handling practices, and processing conditions.
  
• Perform quality checks on incoming materials, work-in-process, and finished poultry products.
  
• Perform ATP, microbiological, chemical, or other verification testing as required.
  
• Monitor foreign material, contamination, defects, product appearance, packaging, labeling, and other quality attributes.
  
• Document nonconformances and communicate issues to QA management and production personnel.
  
• Maintain accurate QA records, inspection forms, test results, and production documentation.
  
• Assist with internal audits, customer audits, USDA/FSIS inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
  
• Communicate food-safety concerns immediately to appropriate management.
  
• Support employee training related to GMPs, food safety, hygiene, quality, and company procedures.
  
• Follow all company safety policies and maintain required PPE and sanitation practices.
  
• Perform other duties assigned by the QA Supervisor, QA Manager, or Food Safety Manager.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Animal Science, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience in poultry processing, food manufacturing, quality assurance, or food safety preferred.
  
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and basic food-safety principles.
  
• Familiarity with USDA/FSIS requirements is preferred.
  
• Ability to accurately complete paperwork, records, and electronic documentation.
  
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify product and process deficiencies.
  
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions within established procedures.
  
• Basic computer skills, including email and data entry.

Physical Requirements

• Constantly stand and/or walk throughout shift.
• Exposure to noise (>85 decibels), CO2, and moving production lines.
• Exposure to heat (99°F, 37°C) and cold (45°F, 4°C).
• Exposure to damp, wet and cold environments.
• Work in cold, wet, humid, noisy, and fast-paced processing areas.
• Bend, reach, climb stairs, and perform inspections throughout the plant.
  
• Ability to wear required PPE for extended periods.
  
• Work around live and/or raw animal odors.

Benefits Information

Benefits Eligibility Varies

• Paid Time Off
• 401k Savings Plan
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• FREE $25,000 life insurance policy with additional life insurance programs available
• Company Sponsored Purchasing Program
• On-the-Job Training Provided
• Weekly Pay Check
• Promotional Career Opportunities
• All required Personal Protection Equipment is provided
• Company Cook-Outs, Safety Rewards, Giveaways, etc.
• Come be a part of a Family Oriented Company that offers so much more!

KOCH FOODS IS A DIVERSE COMPANY THAT BELIEVES ITS EMPLOYEES ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR INVESTING IN ITS FUTURE. AT KOCH FOODS, EVERY TEAM MEMBER IS CRITICAL IN HELPING US DELIVER ON OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CUSTOMERS. KOCH FOODS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PARTNER.