Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician

Openwork; Macon (GA); On-site; USD 19,604 - 27,922; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay based on experience

Stable work environment

Opportunity to grow within operations

Job summary

Openwork is seeking a QA Technician (Food Safety & Quality) in Macon, GA. In this hands-on role, you will conduct food safety evaluations and monitor Critical Control Points to ensure compliance with standards.

This position requires standing in brine, exposure to odors, and extensive walking. Strong attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to follow procedures are essential. Competitive pay at $17.25 per hour is offered, along with opportunities for growth in food safety operations.

Qualifications

• Stable work history and strong reliability.
• Ability to follow directions precisely.
• Food handling or packaging experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct food safety and quality tests on fermented produce.
• Monitor Critical Control Points (CCP) every 30 minutes.
• Document testing results and maintain accurate reports.
• Evaluate products through sensory testing.

Skills

Basic math skills

Strong reading comprehension

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Job description

Openwork is currently engaged in a search to find a QA Technician (Food Safety & Quality) in Macon.

In this role, you will be responsible for conducting food safety and quality evaluations while monitoring Critical Control Points (CCP) and Critical Quality Points (CQP) to ensure fermented produce meets company, customer, and regulatory standards. This is a critical position directly impacting consumer safety.

Important: This is not a clean, lab‑only environment. You will be standing in brine, exposed to strong odors, and doing a lot of walking. This role is hands‑on and essential to the operation.

Responsibilities

• Conducting standardized food safety and quality tests on fermented produce to ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards.
• Monitoring and reporting Critical Control Points (CCP), including checking pH levels every 30 minutes according to company policies and procedures.
• Recording, compiling, and maintaining accurate testing results, charts, graphs, and reports as required by state and governing agencies.
• Evaluating color, texture, flavor, and overall quality of products such as pickles, relish, jalapeños, and yellow peppers through sensory testing.
• Monitoring and controlling product temperatures throughout the process.
• Properly recording lot identification for ingredients, labels, and finished products.
• Requesting, retrieving, and staging materials needed for testing and analysis.
• Following brine‑making procedures and monitoring analytical data for each brine batch.
• Enforcing and adhering to all company policies, procedures, and safety requirements, including PPE usage.
• Working collaboratively with production employees, Quality Assurance, management, and auditors in a team‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Stable work history and strong reliability – this is not a position for someone who is inconsistent.
• Basic math skills (required).
• Strong reading comprehension (mandatory).
• Ability to follow directions precisely (mandatory).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and testing.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Ability to handle extreme environmental temperatures.
• Willingness and ability to utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Food handling or packaging experience is a plus (understanding food safety is highly beneficial).
• Analytical skills are a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Exposure to strong odors, including pickle brine, jalapeños, and yellow peppers.
• Standing in brine for extended periods.
• Extensive walking.
• Walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, and repetitive hand/arm movements.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Perks and Compensation

• Pay: $17.25.
• Shift: 5am to Finish.
• Competitive pay based on experience.
• Stable work environment within food manufacturing.
• Opportunity to grow within quality and food safety operations.