Quality Assurance Technician

Sugar Bowl Bakery; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Sugar Bowl Bakery is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician for our Hayward, CA facility. You will partner with production and leadership to uphold GMPs, HACCP programs, and quality systems, driving improvements and ensuring products meet high standards.

This role involves coordinating shelf-life studies, supplier quality reviews, plant inspections, and routine testing to protect food safety and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced bakery environment.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of Quality Assurance experience in food manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GLP, allergen management and sanitation.
• Strong verbal and written communication in English; bilingual a plus.
• Ability to analyze information and make sound decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead product shelf-life studies and coordinate testing with external laboratories.
• Audit raw material quality, monitor supplier performance, and drive corrective actions.
• Conduct plant walkthroughs to identify quality and food safety deficiencies.
• Perform pre-operational inspections and release production lines.
• Execute microbiological and environmental monitoring tests and sampling.
• Inspect finished products for compliance with standards.
• Calibrate and maintain QA instruments such as scales and thermometers.
• Support additional quality and food safety initiatives as needed.

Skills

Quality Assurance

HACCP

GLP

Allergen management

Pest control

Sanitation

Communication

MS Office

Education

Associate’s degree or Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

We make delicious baked goods that brighten everyday moments. Join our team and help spread sweetness with every bite.

Position Overview:

At Sugar Bowl Bakery, quality and food safety are at the heart of everything we do. As a Quality Assurance (QA) Technician, you will play a critical role in ensuring our products meet the highest customer, regulatory, food safety, and quality standards. This position partners closely with production and leadership teams to support Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP programs, quality systems, and continuous improvement initiatives that help deliver exceptional products to our customers every day.

The QA Technician also contributes to a variety of food safety and quality projects, helping drive operational excellence across the bakery. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about food quality, enjoys problem-solving, and wants to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead product shelf-life studies and coordinate testing with external laboratories.
• Audit raw material quality, monitor supplier performance, and drive corrective actions for supplier-related issues.
• Conduct plant walkthroughs, identify quality and food safety deficiencies, and ensure timely resolution.
• Perform pre-operational inspections and release production lines for manufacturing.
• Execute physical, dimensional, analytical, microbiological, and environmental monitoring tests, including pathogen and indicator organism sampling.
• Conduct quality inspections on finished products to ensure compliance with company and customer standards.
• Calibrate and maintain QA instruments, including scales, thermometers, and testing equipment.
• Support additional quality and food safety initiatives as needed.

Other Duties

• Maintain a positive working environment through collaboration and effective communication.
• Demonstrate and adhere to all employee safety, food safety, and quality requirements, including but not limited to understanding the proper use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and plant specific GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices).
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Position Location: This is an on-site role based in Hayward, California, at the manufacturing facility. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance to Hayward.

Qualifications:

• 1+ years of Quality Assurance experience in the food manufacturing industry.
• Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including HACCP, allergen management, pest control, sanitation, food defense, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with proficiency in English.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, analyze information, and make effective decisions.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and build positive working relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining food safety and quality standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and effectively balance competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Education:

• Associate’s degree or Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is often performed in plant manufacturing areas. Exposure to heat, cold, aerosols/dust, and noise may occur.
• Exposure to common food allergens is expected. Employees are required to regularly wash their hands with anti-bacterial soap and wear protective clothing including hair nets, gloves, masks and smocks, which will help avoid contaminating products.
• Ability to stand and work on your feet for the duration of the scheduled shift.
• Ability to occasionally push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Flexibility to work varying schedules or shifts as business needs require.
• Demonstrated reliability, including consistent attendance and punctuality.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Sugar Bowl Bakery continues to remain an Equal Opportunity Employer.