QA Tech I - 3rd Shift

Ventura Foods; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) matching

Profit sharing

Paid vacation

sick time

Holidays

Employee events

Job summary

Ventura Foods in Albert Lea, MN, is seeking a Laboratory Technician to perform routine tests and assist operations in delivering safe, high quality products. Under supervision, you’ll test, document results, and support process questions related to oil, margarines, mayonnaises, dressings, and sauces.

You’ll learn to operate lab equipment, follow FSMA, GMPs, and SQF, use AS400/JDE, and maintain documentation.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of experience in a manufacturing lab preferred.
• Experience with quality testing and data recording is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Learn to test, monitor, and document quality results and data.
• Audit and follow up process controls using given systems (RedZone, weight checks, batch sheets, FSMA inspections).
• Assist with formula adjustments to meet customer requirements.
• Maintain calibration and operation of lab equipment and documentation.
• Use AS400 and/or JDE for quality functions.

Skills

Chemistry training

Math and problem solving

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Teamwork and interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

AS400

JDE

Job description

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Location:

Albert Lea, MN, US, 56007

Employment Type: Hourly
Work Arrangement: Onsite

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision, perform a variety of routine laboratory tests or other laboratory work to help provide top quality and safe products that meet customer requirements and specifications. Assist plant operations personnel with quality and processing questions.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Learn to accurately test, monitor, and document quality results and process data for products produced
• Using RedZone: Audit, verify and follow up process controls such as weight checks, batch sheets, FSMA plant inspections, receiving, etc.
• Support process variations as they relate to formula adjustments to satisfy customer requirements
• Maintain a high and effective level of communication with all operating departments
• Learn to operate, calibrate, and maintain lab equipment. Learn, understand and apply the functionality of the Hold Program
• Maintain and complete files and documentation accurately and timely
• Utilize AS400 and/or JDE computer system for necessary quality functions
• Work toward gaining knowledge and understanding of the crystallizing and tempering process for oils and margarines, the process for mayonnaises, dressings, and sauces production
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience
• 1 year of experience
• Manufacturing lab environment experience preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Chemistry training
• Good math, problem solving, and organizational skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and be a self-starter
• Excellent teamwork and good interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact well with others at all levels

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
• Hourly Base Range of $20.97 - $25.76*

*The “base hourly range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position in the specified markets. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Ventura Foods conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.

Our Culture
Our Culture reflects our commitment to treating every employee with respect and creating an environment where people can do their best work. We rely on a variety of strengths, backgrounds, and experiences across our teams to help us innovate, grow, and deliver for our customers. By fostering a workplace that is supportive, collaborative, and grounded in integrity, we continue to attract strong talent and meet the high expectations of a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ventura Foods may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted tools at certain stages of our hiring process, including identifying & sourcing candidates, reviewing applications and matched candidates on job boards and websites, and generating screening questions to help us work more efficiently and consistently. We regularly review our tools to promote fairness and reduce the risk of bias. However, while these tools support our process, every hiring decision is made by a real person on our team. Applicants in the State of New York may request an alternative process by contacting us at [e-mail] .