QA Technician 1st Shift

Kerry Group; Melrose Park (IL); On-site; USD 57,859,000 - 79,901,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a QA Technician at our Melrose Park, IL facility to perform lab testing and data entry for finished products and samples. You will help prepare reject reports, tag pallets, and maintain accurate lab records while supporting multiple production shifts.

This role requires flexibility for second or third shift and weekends/holidays, with a strong focus on GMP and HACCP compliance in a fast-paced meat division environment.

Qualifications

• Experience with lab testing and data entry into computer systems.
• Ability to prepare reports and logs, including reject reports and pallet tags.
• Willingness to work on multiple shifts and weekends/holidays.
• Maintain clean lab and proper record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Perform product testing and data entry for finished products and samples.
• Assist in creating reject reports and tagging pallets with lot and reason information.
• Keep lab clean, organized, and ready for next technician shift.
• Maintain and update lab records and retention samples.
• Support testing and sample handling across production lines.

Skills

Lab testing procedures

Data entry & records

Quality control observations

Shift flexibility

Tools

Lab equipment basics

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Where You'll Work

Located just outside of Chicago, our Melrose Park location is part of our Meat division and creates batter blends, pastry blends, and breadcrumbs. We are a fast paced, never a dull moment manufacturing facility that comes together as a team to get the job done. With a growing portfolio, comes need to grow our team! If you’re looking to build a career in manufacturing with a team you can make a difference with, we might be the place for you!

Compensation Data

The pay rate for this position is $24.00per hour. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 1/2/2027.

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.

What You'll Do

We have a QA Technician position in Melrose Park, Illinois. Kerry has over 41 sites across North America. Our Melrose Park facility plant is part of the Meat division business, and has 150 employees. This site is growing operations and investing capital in improvement projects. We are looking for someone comfortable working on first, second or third shift, and flexible to work some weekends/holidays. Some of the responsibilities include:

• Product testing-perform all lab-testing procedures required and complete data sheets or data entry into the computer system. This includes any analysis required on finished products and mixer samples.
• Assist in preparing reject reports and reject pallet tags completely giving product, lot, count, reason and disposition with shift lead. Apply pallet tags on appropriate material promptly and remove any voided reject pallet tags in absence of lead.
• Keep lab clean in every aspect and set up for next lab technician.
• Computer records of all product should be completed on an ongoing basis.
• Retain samples, organize and label retain samples. Maintain records. Pulls retain samples when requested.
• Control samples-organize and maintain control samples. Pull control samples prior to runs.
• Sample rechecks- resampling and testing of samples that have been placed on hold for various reasons and assist in determining proper disposition of sample.
• Conduct walk through of production area of responsible product, make visual observations and report potential problems to lead operator and/or supervisor..
• Check magnet samples and sifter tailings at scheduled frequency. Keep complete records.
• Weight control audit collect weight data from all production lines as per schedule.
• Special experiment help develop new and improved laboratory procedures. Assist in experiments designed to improve products and processes.
• Sample, test, check against specifications, accept or reject incoming raw materials in absence of ingredient technician.
• Miscellaneous duties dispose of animal feed modules, clean fryers and retain racks as prescribed by sanitation schedule.
• Be available for further training as may be required by Company. Carry out other such duties as may be required by Quality Supervisor and Quality Systems Supervisor.
• Follow mandatory Plant policies and procedures: GMP, HACCP, allergens control, safety.
• Sample, test, check against specifications, accept or reject incoming raw materials in absence of ingredient technician.
• Responsible for completing the finished product tests in a timely manner, lab counter sanitation and other lab related tests

Responsible for completing the finished product tests in a timely manner, lab counter sanitation and other lab related tests

What You'll Need To Succeed

• Product testing-perform all lab-testing procedures required and complete data sheets or data entry into the computer system. This includes any analysis required on finished products and mixer samples.
• Assist in preparing reject reports and reject pallet tags completely giving product, lot, count, reason and disposition with shift lead. Apply pallet tags on appropriate material promptly and remove any voided reject pallet tags in absence of lead.
• Keep lab clean in every aspect and set up for next lab technician.
• Computer records of all product should be completed on an ongoing basis.
• Retain samples, organize and label retain samples. Maintain records. Pulls retain samples when requested.
• Control samples-organize and maintain control samples. Pull control samples prior to runs.
• Sample rechecks- resampling and testing of samples that have been placed on hold for various reasons and assist in determining proper disposition of sample.
• Conduct walk through of production area of responsible product, make visual observations and report potential problems to lead operator and/or supervisor..
• Check magnet samples and sifter tailings at scheduled frequency. Keep complete records.
• Weight control audit collect weight data from all production lines as per schedule.
• Special experiment help develop new and improved laboratory procedures. Assist in experiments designed to improve products and processes.
• Sample, test, check against specifications, accept or reject incoming raw materials in absence of ingredient technician.
• Miscellaneous duties dispose of animal feed modules, clean fryers and retain racks as prescribed by sanitation schedule.
• Be available for further training as may be required by Company. Carry out other such duties as may be required by Quality Supervisor and Quality Systems Supervisor.
• Follow mandatory Plant policies and procedures: GMP, HACCP, allergens control, safety.
• Sample, test, check against specifications, accept or reject incoming raw materials in absence of ingredient technician.
• Responsible for completing the finished product tests in a timely manner, lab counter sanitation and other lab related tests