Quality Assurance Technician

Manna Beverages; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Manna Beverages in Indianapolis seeks a Quality Assurance Technician to conduct QA audits, ensure product integrity, and maintain compliance with FSMA, SQF, Kosher, and Organic standards. This role collaborates with management to resolve quality and production issues.

Requirements include English proficiency, GMP familiarity, and ability to use lab equipment. The position involves routine testing of beverages and syrups, with emphasis on safety and accurate data reporting.

Qualifications

• Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, journals, and technical procedures.
• Write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Present information effectively to managers, clients, and customers.
• Perform mathematical calculations (proportions, percentages, averages, volumes).
• Define problems, collect data, and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret technical instructions and manage multiple variables.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and produce accurate work.
• Familiar with lab safety and handling hazardous materials.
• Good written and verbal communication; adaptable to change.
• Able to work independently and in a team; punctual.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety procedures and work safely at all times.
• Maintain GMPs.
• Operate equipment daily (refractometer, pH meter, densitometer, HPLC, etc.) and ensure calibration.
• Standardize equipment and manage reagents.
• Perform analyses on beverages to ensure compliance with guidelines.
• Conduct line checks to meet specifications.
• Collect and store retention samples.
• Assist production in audits and quality reviews.
• Handle out-of-spec products and disposition.
• Test beverage attributes (Brix, acidity, pH, color).
• Document results in data systems and report deviations.
• Prepare shift handover and train QA technicians.
• Participate in Quality System audits and food safety programs.
• Conduct packaging audits and final product inspections.
• Keep work area clean; perform swabbing and ATP tests.
• Participate in safety inspections and follow-up actions.
• Other duties as assigned; maintain positive teamwork.

Skills

Read and interpret procedures

Report writing

Effective communication

Mathematical calculations

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Lab safety awareness

Excel

Word

Teamwork and independence

Education

High School Diploma / GED

B.S. in Science preferred

1-year production/manufacturing experience

Tools

Excel

Word

Refractometer

pH Meter

Densitometer

Thermometer

HPLC

Job description

Position Overview

The Quality Assurance Technician conducts quality assurance audits of beverage production products assuring company and customer standards are maintained and product integrity is preserved. Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Compliance with applicable standards such as FSMA, Safe Quality Foods (SQF), third party audits, Kosher, and Organic requirements. Consults with management to resolve quality, production, and efficiency problems. Functions as an information resource to various departments when special and critical quality issues occur.

Language Skills

English proficiency required. Spanish is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Amount of Travel Involved

None.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow all safety procedures and work as safe as possible at all times.
• Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s).
• Daily operation of equipment which includes Refractometer, pH Meter, Densitometer, Timer, Water bath, Calibrated Thermometer, Zahm Nogel, NoScale, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC,) and all other related equipment.
• Standardizes equipment prior to use, ensures reagents and other materials are available.
• Performs analysis on products to ensure compliance to customer and regulatory agency guidelines.
• Performs processing system (line checks) on a timely basis to ensure compliance to specifications.
• Collect and stores retention samples.
• Provide production assistance in product audits.
• Ensures that all products not meeting specified attributes are segregated and held for further review and disposition.
• Quality testing of temperature of finished product.
• Ensure that all-pertinent analytical results are entered into the data collections system in a timely basis, immediately informs supervision of any deviations.
• Review inventory of lab materials and reagents at close of shift to ensure subsequent shifts have adequate supplies.
• Passes on pertinent information to the following shift.
• Perform hold and disposition of out of grade product.
• Provide training to QA Technicians.
• Participate in Quality System audits.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative testing of beverages, syrups, and raw materials through production process.
• Analyze syrup beverage and/or water attributes.
• Audit container rinsers, air blowers, filters, and coders to ensure proper operation standards are met.
• Conducts tests for allergens.
• Conduct packaging audits and quality inspection of products during production runs and final finished products.
• Determines or verifies Brix, Acid, Asorbic Acid, pH, Flavor and/or Color of products.
• Verifies or determines fill levels and weight of products.
• Perform caffeine, sorbic acid, and benzoic acid testing of products.
• Participate and contribute to the Quality Management System Programs including Food Safety.
• Perform cleaning tasks during the shift, at the end of the shift and at shutdowns.
• Keep work area clean at all times.
• Conduct swabbing and Allergan Control Test ( ATP) swab.
• Participate in Safety inspections.
• Other duties as assigned at the discretion of management.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere and interaction with customers, co-workers, and management.
• Regular and punctual attendance.
• Work scheduled shift, weekends, and extended hours as required.
• To perform this job successfully, must be able to perform each fundamental task listed above satisfactorily.

Experience for Success

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and technical procedures.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.
• Mathematical skills, ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, averages, ratios, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several variables.
• Demonstrates attention to detail, a professional attitude, and produces accurate work product.
• Familiarity with lab safety and handling of hazardous materials.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Have a strong work ethic and be able to work independently as well as working in a team.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and adhere to deadlines.
• Must be proactive.
• Must have a cooperative attitude.
• Must have the ability to follow-up.
• Familiar with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Education and/or Experience

• High School Degree, General Education Degree (G.E.D.) or Equivalent., required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field preferred.
• 1-year relevant experience preferably in Production or Manufacturing environment, preferred
• Or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Food or Beverage industry experience is a plus.
• Upholds mental, spiritual and physical safety
• Asks for and provides feedbackHolds self and others accountable
• Supportive and collaborative of team members
• Participates in self-development and encourages the development of those who report/to him or her and peers
• Demonstrates flexibility and desire for growth

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, or squat. The employee must regularly lift, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift, pull and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift, pull and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Manna Beverages & Ventures is an equal opportunity employer-----M/F/D/V