Quality Assurance Technician

Vermont Smoke & Cure; Hinesburg (VT); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermont Smoke & Cure is seeking a QA Technician to support food safety and quality objectives across production. You’ll execute QA programs, maintain the QMS, monitor quality metrics, and participate in continuous improvement to enhance product quality and safety.

The role is on-site at our Hinesburg, VT facility with Friday–Monday, 6am–4:30pm shifts. Typical pay is $22.77/hour plus a 20% shift differential, plus opportunities to contribute to CAPA and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Quality Assurance in a food manufacturing environment.
• Practical knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GFSI and applicable regulations.
• Experience using inspection, sampling and testing equipment with understanding of measurement accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Ability to accurately document, review and analyze quality records.

Responsibilities

• Identify and document non-conforming product, raw materials and equipment; manage disposition records.
• Conduct GMP, facility and process audits; analyze findings and suggest CAPAs.
• Review batch records, logs and quality docs for accuracy and completeness.
• Evaluate sanitation program effectiveness through environmental monitoring and sampling.
• Support training programs to ensure compliance with food safety policies.
• Develop and maintain procedures for Food Safety and Quality Systems including HACCP plans.

Skills

QA documentation

MS Office

Quality mindset

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a scientific field

Tools

QA testing equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Supports food safety and quality objectives across all phases of production. This role executes quality assurance programs and activities to ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable certification standards. The Technician assists in the implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS), monitors quality performance metrics, and actively participates in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, food safety, and operational effectiveness.

• Location: This job is on site at our facility in Hinesburg, VT
• Schedule: Friday - Monday 6am to 4:30pm
• Pay Rate: $22.77/hour plus 20% shift differential

Major Job Responsibilities

• Identify, place on hold, and document non-conforming product, raw materials, and equipment; initiate and maintain records related to non-conformance and disposition.
• Conduct GMP, facility condition, and process compliance audits; analyze findings, identify trends, and provide recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
• Perform record review, data entry, verification, and analysis of batch records, monitoring logs, and quality documentation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Sanitation Program by conducting operational and environmental monitoring, including microbiological and ATP sampling and analysis; trend results and assist with corrective action implementation.
• Support and facilitate VSC training programs to ensure compliance with company food safety and quality policies and procedures.
• Develop, review, and maintain procedures and documentation associated with Food Safety and Quality Systems, including HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, and work instructions.
• Participate as a team member in HACCP, Food Defense, and Crisis Management teams, including meetings, assessments, and program reviews.
• Perform analytical and microbiological sampling and testing of ingredients, in-process materials, and finished products in accordance with established methods and specifications.
• Ensure compliance with QMS standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, food safety, and process effectiveness.

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, food science, biology, chemistry, or a related scientific field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Quality Assurance, preferably in a food manufacturing environment.
• Practical working knowledge of applicable regulations and standards, including SQF, HACCP, GFSI, and relevant food safety regulations.
• Experience using inspection, sampling, and testing equipment with an understanding of measurement accuracy and tolerances. Technical Skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to accurately document, review, and analyze quality and food safety records.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty at a satisfactory level. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. The mental and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Regularly required to visually observe objects up close and at a distance
• Occasionally required to reach or bend
• Regularly required to talk and hear
• Regularly requires hands to handle or feel and finger dexterity
• Infrequent light physical effort is required

Mental Demands

• Regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret complex data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with constant interruptions
• Regularly requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy when interacting with those encountered in the course of work, at times when frustration due to immediate challenges could occur

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in a food manufacturing plant
• English is the primary language; training materials are written in English. For individuals who do not speak English as their primary language, translation will be provided.