QA Technician

ALTOR; Fort Madison (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTOR in Fort Madison, IA is seeking a Quality (QA) Technician to support production by training pouch inspectors, verifying calibration, auditing lines, and coaching staff on quality standards. You will work with supervisors to resolve issues, manage quarantines, and ensure compliance with ISO 9001 during daily inspections.

The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent workforce experience.
• 2+ years of experience in a quality control role.
• Strong analytical and math skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with quality control tools and techniques, such as statistical process control and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards, such as ISO 9001.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• Willingness to work overtime and flexible hours as needed.
• Manufacturing industry experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designated trainer for Inspector/Packers and tester for safety/inspection duties.
• Line auditing includes QA inspections, reviewing quality inspections, evaluating scrapped product, coaching staff.
• Daily verification of all scales in production areas.
• Work closely with Production Supervisors to evaluate and solve quality problems.
• Manage production hold and quarantine activities and sorting documentation.
• Collaborate with Quality Manager/Supervisor on quarantine and sorting operations and report issues.
• Perform and document any special warehouse or dock audits.
• Ensure quality standards are provided for all inspection activities.
• Collaborate with production teams to identify and solve quality issues.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections and test results.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and efficiency.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Quality control

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Statistical process control

Root cause analysis

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Job Title: Quality (QA) Technician

Department: Operations

Reports To: Plant Manager or QA Manager/Supervisor with dotted line to Director of Quality

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Travel: Limited, as needed to other sites.

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Technician role is responsible for training Inspector/Packers, verifying tool calibration, auditing the production line, coaching Inspector/Packers, notifying production supervisors of quality problems, assisting with problem resolution, controlling the quarantine sorting and re-inspections, special inspections, and notifying/working with Quality Manager/Supervisor to solve quality issues. The incumbent is expected to be a self‑starter, a good manager of time, be able to work independently and follow Altor’s standards for safety and conduct.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Designated trainer for Inspector/Packers, which includes following an approved training program and testing for basic safety and inspection duties. Teach or assist in the Inspector/Packer Quality Refresher Training.
• Line auditing includes doing documented QA Inspections, reviewing Inspector/Packer quality inspections, evaluating scrapped product, and coaching employees on the quality standards.
• Daily verification of all scales in production areas.
• Work closely with Production Supervisors to evaluate and solve quality problems.
• Manage all production hold and quarantine activities, document and control the sorting process.
• Work closely with the Quality Manager/Supervisor and Shift Supervisor on quarantine and sorting operations and notify them promptly of any unresolved quality issues and any product that has been quarantined.
• Perform and document any special warehouse or dock audits.
• Ensure quality standards are provided for all inspection activities throughout the facility.
• Collaborate with production teams to identify and solve quality issues.
• Maintaining accurate records of inspections and test results.
• Participating in, and promote continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and efficiency.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize quality processes.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education Requirement/Work Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent workforce experience.
• 2+ years of experience in a quality control role
• Strong analytical and math skills and attention to detail
• Experience with quality control tools and techniques, such as statistical process control and root cause analysis
• Knowledge of regulatory standards, such as ISO 9001
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment
• Willingness to work overtime and flexible hours as needed
• Manufacturing industry experience preferred.

Core Values

• Accountability – We take full responsibility for our actions and outcomes, ensuring transparency and trust with our stakeholders, customers, associates, and the environment. Competencies: Problem Solving, Decision Making, Planning & Organizing, Resilience, Time Management/Prioritization and Learning Agility

• Innovation – We champion creativity and collaboration, continually striving to deliver groundbreaking solutions that transform our industry and exceed expectations. Competencies: Creativity & Curiosity, Continuous Improvement, Vision & Strategic Thinking, and Collaboration & Teamwork

• Integrity – We uphold the highest ethical standards of honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in every decision and action, fostering trust at all levels in our organization. Competencies: Honesty, Consistency & Dependability and Commitment to Excellence

• Adaptability – We embrace change agility and resilience, staying flexible and proactive in a constantly evolving world. Competencies: Communication, Results Oriented and Flexibility

• Caring – We prioritize the well‑being of our people, communities, and business partners, recognizing that their success and happiness are vital to our own. Competencies: Organizational Savvy, Risk Management, Compliance, Diversity, and Empathy

• Passion – We are driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, demonstrating determination to succeed while maintaining humility and respect for others. Competencies: Commitment, Persistence & Tenacity, Humility and Respect

Physical Demands

The employee must occasionally lift up to 40 pounds and push/pull up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; must be able to read production tags, labels, inspect parts and identify defects if present. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers; talk and hear. Frequently required to reach, stoop, bend, squat, stretch, and twist. The employee is routinely required to reach with hands and arms. Must be able to work in, with, and near machinery and work with hand tools. Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hearing protection, safety glasses and steel/composite toe shoes, and gloves. Hearing protection and PPE is based on job assignments, tasks, or work areas. Must be able to apply critical thinking, verbally communicate, listen to others, and take direction.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is typical of most manufacturing environments with proximity to other production associates, materials, and machinery. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high level with ear protection required. Moderate exposure to heat, cold, and noise. Heat and cold exposure is dependent on external weather temperatures. Work areas may occasionally have wet or damp conditions.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to a particular position. This document in no way states or implies that this is as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required and personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The Company reserves the right to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from, any section of this document as it deems, in its judgment, to be proper.