QA Technician

Northline; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Northline Seafoods in Bellingham, WA is seeking a detail-oriented Quality Assurance Technician to support our QA Supervisor at the Land Plant. The role focuses on ensuring food safety and product quality along a head-and-gut line.

The position covers day and night shifts with hourly rates $24–$25, including a $1 shift differential for nights. Prior QA or food safety exposure is valued, with on-the-job training provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Valid Washington State Food Worker Card is required at hire.
• Experience in food processing, manufacturing, warehousing, or QA is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing and maintaining food safety and quality policies and programs.
• Conduct daily inspections on the head-and-gut line to ensure HACCP and GMP compliance.
• Collect and test product, water, and environmental samples and document results.
• Support HACCP plan execution, verification, monitoring, and recordkeeping.
• Report non-conformances and assist in corrective actions under supervision.
• Maintain QA lab equipment, supplies, and inventory.
• Collaborate with production and QA leadership to ensure compliant operations.
• Participate in audits and inspections and help prepare documentation.

Skills

GMPs knowledge

Food safety principles

Recordkeeping

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

On-the-job training adaptability

Education

High school diploma

WA Food Worker Card

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

SUMMARY

Northline Seafoods is a seafood processing company seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Quality Assurance Technician to support our QA Supervisor at our Land Plant in Bellingham, WA. This facility specializes in head-and-gut processing, and the QA Technician will help ensure all operations meet regulatory standards and company expectations for food safety and product quality.

This temporary position is anticipated to run from early November through mid-March, with the potential to extend through May based on operational needs.

We are hiring for both day shift and night shift positions.

• Day Shift: $24/per hour
• Night Shift: $25/per hour (includes a $1.00/hour shift differential)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in implementing and maintaining food safety and quality policies, procedures, and programs.
• Conduct daily inspections and monitoring on the head-and-gut line to ensure compliance with HACCP, GMPs, and other regulatory requirements.
• Collect and test product, water, and environmental samples; document results accurately.
• Support HACCP plan execution, including verification, monitoring, and recordkeeping.
• Report non-conformances and assist in corrective actions under the guidance of the QA Supervisor.
• Maintain QA lab equipment, supplies, and inventory.
• Collaborate with production and QA leadership to ensure smooth, compliant operations.
• Participate in audits and inspections as needed, assisting the QA Supervisor in preparing documentation.
• Support training initiatives and safety programs within the QA team.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support operational and food safety goals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid Washington State Food Worker Card required at the time of hire.
• Previous experience in food processing, manufacturing, warehousing, or quality assurance is preferred but not required.
• Basic understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation, and food safety principles preferred.
• Ability to learn company food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements through on-the-job training.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to recognize product defects, sanitation concerns, and process deviations.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks, manage time, and complete assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to accurately complete records and maintain organized documentation.
• Basic computer skills for electronic recordkeeping and data entry.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain on the production floor and perform the essential duties of the position while standing and walking for up to 10-hour shifts, with scheduled meal and rest breaks.
• Regularly required to use hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and communicate effectively by talking and hearing.
• Frequently required to climb or maintain balance while performing job duties.Must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish colors and subtle product abnormalities or defects.
• Ability to work in refrigerated production environments and around wet floors, processing equipment, and seafood products while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).

DISCLAIMER

The above description is not intended to list all possible essential functions or requirements, as they are subject to change. Northline Seafoods reserves the right to revise this description at any time. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the above essential duties and meet the physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

Northline Seafoods is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.