Quality Assurance Lead — Food Safety & Lab Ops

Utz Brands, Inc.; Kings Mountain (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Employer match 401k

Profit sharing plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Utz Quality Foods seeks a Quality Assurance Technician Lead at the King’s Mountain, NC plant to lead QA activities, train staff, and ensure food safety and quality. You will perform product testing, audits, and supplier coordination while maintaining equipment, compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will oversee SQF, Organic, and third‑party audits, mentor QA technicians, and partner with production to uphold rigorous quality standards in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills across departments and in writing.
• Solid math skills for testing and data entry.
• Safety awareness when handling chemical solutions and test samples.
• Good organizational and teamwork abilities with data tracking.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-process and finished product quality control tests and document results.
• Verify sanitation effectiveness via pre-op inspections, equipment checks, and ATP testing.
• Identify non-conformance, place product on hold, investigate root causes, and support corrective actions.
• Maintain calibration and stocking of lab equipment and supplies.
• Generate daily and monthly audits to ensure GMP and sanitation compliance.
• Train, mentor, and provide technical support to QA Technicians and production staff.
• Set up, calibrate, and maintain testing equipment and processes.
• Coordinate testing of purchased products and manage inbound testing records.
• Enter QA attribute data into databases and communicate results to management.
• Interact with vendors and equipment reps on compliance and complaints.
• Oversee SQF, Organic, NGMP, GFCO programs and assist third-party audits.
• Audit QA SOPs and recommend improvements.
• Ensure shift coverage and replacements during absences.

Skills

Communication skills

Math skills

Safety awareness

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Basic computer skills

Job description

Utz Quality Foods seeks a Quality Assurance Technician Lead at the King’s Mountain, NC plant to lead QA activities, train staff, and ensure food safety and quality. You will perform product testing, audits, and supplier coordination while maintaining equipment, compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will oversee SQF, Organic, and third‑party audits, mentor QA technicians, and partner with production to uphold rigorous quality standards in a fast-paced environment.