Quality Assurance Assistant 1st Shift

Paycom - ATS; Mexico (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Western Smokehouse Partners is hiring a Quality Assurance Assistant to support the QA team in maintaining product excellence and food safety. You will help with audits, quality checks, and documentation across production areas to ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to company quality objectives in the Ready-To-Eat segment.

The role requires strong attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to learn traceability and inventory systems, with a manufacturing environment focus on quality

Qualifications

• Experience in food safety or Ready-To-Eat (RTE) production preferred.
• HACCP training and verifiable QA knowledge preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist FSQA Manager with Pre-Operational checks and related procedures.
• Monitor production activities to verify quality and food safety standards.
• Support data collection, analysis, and planning for quality improvements.
• Prepare action plans for quality and production improvements.
• Assist in internal audits to verify QA systems' effectiveness.
• Help develop QA plans including hazard analyses and CCPs.
• Document and verify quality processes and corrective actions.
• Maintain pest control program oversight and related records.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Mathematical skills

General computer skills

Education

HACCP training

Tools

Excel

Job description

Join the TEAM at Western Smokehouse Partners!We’re more than just a leader in the better-for-you meat snack industry-we’re a team driven by quality, innovation and a passion for great meat sticks and jerky. With eight facilities across five states, we’re setting the standard in excellence for our co-manufacturing and private label customers. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for highly motivated individuals who want to be part of an industry-leading company that values contribution, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Western Smokehouse Partners is looking for a Quality Assurance Assistant.The Quality Assurance Assistant supports the QA team in maintaining product excellence and food safety by assisting with audits, quality checks, and documentation. This role contributes to enforcing policies and procedures across production areas to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and company quality objectives, especially within the Ready-To-Eat (RTE) segment.Essential DutiesAssist the FSQA Manager with Pre-Operational (Pre-Op) checks and related procedures.Monitor production activities to verify compliance with quality and food safety standards, including checking ingredients, water activity, pH, rack tags, labels, boxes, caddies, and machine documentation.Contribute to achieving quality assurance goals by supporting data collection, analysis, and strategic planning efforts.Prepare and complete action plans for quality and production improvements.Support implementation of production, productivity, quality, and customer service standards.Identify, investigate, and help resolve quality issues within the production process.Assist in conducting internal audits to verify the effectiveness of food safety and quality systems.Aid in developing quality assurance plans, including hazard analyses and identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs).Help establish critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification processes.Validate quality processes by measuring production outputs, documenting evidence, and updating QA procedures.Participate in quality documentation preparation and reporting, including tracking failed processes, stability studies, recalls, corrective actions, and re-validations.Maintain oversight of the facility’s pest control program and related equipment.Maintain and store quality and food safety documentation accurately.Verify label information to ensure quality compliance for production runs.Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and FDA regulations.Required QualificationsFood safety or Ready-To-Eat (RTE) production experience preferred.Quality Assurance, FSQR, or QC experience preferred.HACCP training preferred; formal training required for internal audits and company training administration.Basic math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.General computer skills and familiarity with calculators.Ability and willingness to learn computer traceability and inventory systems.Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.Effective communication and teamwork abilities.Physical Demands and Work EnvironmentAbility to stand, walk, and bend frequently during shifts.Work is performed in a manufacturing environment, including production areas with varying temperature and noise levels.Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.Benefits Offered:Health, dental, and vision insurance401(k) with company matchPaid time off and paid holidaysEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Compliance and SafetyThis position must comply with all company policies, GMPs, FDA regulations, OSHA standards, and Illinois Department of Labor rules. Employees are expected to report any safety, quality, or compliance concerns to supervisors immediately.Equal Employment OpportunityWestern Smokehouse Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local labor laws.