Quality Assurance Lab Technician - Days

Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Olathe (KS); On-site; USD 27,276 - 38,848; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to ensure product safety, integrity, and consistency from raw materials to finished goods.

The role conducts tests, maintains SOPs, and supports regulatory compliance while contributing to a culture of continuous improvement within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of one year of work experience required.
• Experience in production/manufacturing or as a lab technician preferred.
• Must read/write/speak English to relay safety and quality information.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Safety, GMP, and Compliance: Uphold safety practices, maintain sanitation, report hazards, follow SOPs and policies.
• Food Safety & Regulatory Oversight: Monitor ISO/GFSI, FDA FSMA, and company food safety programs; stop production if out of spec.
• Quality Testing & Analysis: Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis including sensory evaluation, pH, titratable acidity, Brix, CO, density, TDS and microbial testing.
• Quality Audits, Sampling & Documentation: Conduct sampling, inspections, document results, report variances, isolate nonconforming product.
• Laboratory & Equipment Management: Calibrate and maintain equipment; troubleshoot quality systems and processes.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence: Support production, participate in Lean/Six Sigma/5S; develop skills for a world-class manufacturing environment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Computer literacy

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Order picker

Quality systems software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Join the team at Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company! Regular Hours: 5:00am - 5:30pm - 12 Hour Rotating Schedule. Orientation and first week schedule: Tuesday (Orientation) - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Job Summary

At Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, quality is at the heart of everything we do. As a Quality Assurance Technician, you'll play a critical role in ensuring the safety, integrity, and consistency of products enjoyed by millions of consumers every day.

The QA Tech conducts various checks and tests of raw, in-process, and finished products and/or processes to verify production of high‑quality product, to successfully meet the demands of our customers. This role follows regulatory requirements while adhering to standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and internal policies to ensure compliance of quality & food safety standards as established by the QA department.

Job Responsibilities

• Safety, GMP, and Compliance Uphold all safety practices to prevent injury; identify and report safety hazards. Maintain plant sanitation, housekeeping, and personal hygiene in accordance with GMPs, FDA CFR Title 21 Part 117, and company policies. Follow all required work instructions related to Quality, Environmental, Safety, and Food Safety.
• Food Safety & Regulatory Oversight Understand, monitor, and support compliance with ISO/GFSI standards, FDA FSMA requirements, and company Food Safety and Quality programs. Exercise authority to stop production when product is out of specification or when a food safety or compliance risk is identified.
• Quality Testing & Analysis Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of incoming, inprocess, and finished products using standardized procedures, including sensory evaluation, pH, titratable acidity, Brix, CO, density, TDS, and microbiological sampling and testing.
• Quality Audits, Sampling & Documentation Conduct standardized quality sampling, package inspections, and production audits. Accurately document results in electronic logbooks and databases and promptly report variances or nonconformities to plant management. Isolate and manage nonconforming product.
• Laboratory & Equipment Management Standardize, calibrate, and maintain laboratory equipment; troubleshoot quality systems, equipment, and processes to ensure reliable and accurate results.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Support production through effective time management to minimize downtime and ensure the consistent production of highquality finished goods. Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, food safety, environmental, and plant safety programs. Continuously develop technical and professional skills to support a worldclass manufacturing environment.

Job Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of one year of work experience required.
• Prior experience in production and/or manufacturing or as a lab technician preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in a positive and engaged team atmosphere.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Familiarity with lab safety and handling of hazardous materials. Must be able to read, write, and speak English to properly understand and relay important safety and quality information.
• Capable of working well with others and maintaining excellent interdepartmental relationships.
• Readily accepts instruction from management and supervisors and executes effectively.
• Must be able to take initiative and work independently at times.
• Needs to be reliable and open to a flexible schedule.
• Strong computer comprehension capabilities, including Word, Excel, and various quality system applications.
• Prior experience using a forklift and order picker preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Acute Vision: Constantly (observing both near and far, reading documents)
• Speaking: Constantly (investigates, negotiates, recommends, reports, etc.)
• Typing/texting: Frequently using a keyboard/phone for day‑to‑day business (email, reports)
• Mobility: Occasional travel throughout the plant and office environment.
• Lifting: Occasionally lift 15 pounds or less (laptop, tablet, handheld devices)

Pay: $24.00 an hour

About Heartland Coca-Cola

Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company produces, sells, and distributes the highest quality and best tasting Coca-Cola and Monster Beverages across the states of Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. Our brand offerings provide multiple beverage options in non‑alcoholic categories including sparkling soft drinks, water, ingredient enhanced, isotonics, tea, energy, juice, coffee and nutrition. We value our people, customers and community which drives our passion to work and win together as a team.

Benefits and Other Information

We offer a competitive benefits package to full‑time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k), paid time off, wellness programs and tuition reimbursement. Part‑time employees are eligible for paid time off, 401(k), and tuition reimbursement.

Pre‑employment background check is required.

Heartland Coca-Cola is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and any other class protected by law. Veteran friendly.