Quality Assurance Technician

The Ziegenfelder Company; Lockhart (TX); On-site; USD 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company matching

Employee discounts

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Ziegenfelder Company in Lockhart, TX is seeking a quality assurance professional to support finished product readiness, QA documentation, and environmental monitoring. You will ensure products meet color, taste, quantity, wrap, and Rainbow Array specs while adhering to HACCP, GMP, and SSOP programs.

Responsibilities include sample collection, microbiological data review, chemistry testing, and cross‑functional coordination with Production and Maintenance to prevent deviations and improve

Qualifications

• One plus years within a food manufacturing facility.
• Food Safety, HACCP, SQF, SSOP & GMP experience/training required; SQF certification preferred but not required.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare raw material inputs and monitor production processes to ensure quality.
• Inspect final products to ensure customer satisfaction and compliance with specs.
• Review and document QA processes, recommending improvements.
• Collect environmental samples and participate in monitoring programs.
• Record microbiological data and report concerns to Quality Manager.
• Perform chemistry testing to ensure product specifications.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and coordinate with Production/Maintenance.
• Complete internal lab functions and document batch records.
• Audit documentation for compliance with HACCP/SOP/SSOP and applicable regulations.

Skills

Food safety systems

HACCP

SQF

Sanitation (SSOP & GMP)

Microsoft Office

Written & verbal communication

Education

Food Science/Technology degree or related field

Job description

Essential Functions

• Ensuring that finished Ziegenfelder treats are ready for packaging by properly preparing raw material inputs, monitoring production processes, and inspecting final products to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Reviewing and documenting quality assurance processes and making recommendations for improvements.
• Manipulate a variety of stainless-steel hard pipes and flexible hosing to perform CIPs and batch processing.
• Participate in plant sanitation activities including floor scrubbing, drain cleaning, and other manual sanitation tasks.
• Participate in environmental monitoring program by collecting samples of finished product, work in progress, on equipment and around facility.
• Review and record microbiological data and report concerns and findings to Quality Manager.
• Use HMI to appropriately call ingredients for bulk processing and transfer of batches.
• Conducting production support to include mix making, equipment cleaning, product quality testing/sampling, and completion of the master sanitation schedule tasks.
• Verifying finished product meets quality standards of color, taste, quantity, wrap, and Rainbow Array.
• Adhering to HACCP, GMP, SOP, and SSOP programs and coordinating all documentation to ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and Ziegenfelder directives, policies, and procedures.
• Perform chemistry testing to ensure product specifications.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and work cross-functionally with Production and Maintenance departments.
• Perform multiple quality checks and records results in the data control system as well as document batch records.
• Complete internal lab functions including environmental sampling and document completion.
• Conducting regular audits of documentation to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and Ziegenfelder directives, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• One plus years within a food manufacturing facility, preferred.
• Preference will be given to Food Science, Food Technology Degree, or other related fields, however not required, experience will be considered.
• Experience and training with Food Safety, HACCP, SQF, Sanitation (SSOP & GMP) and/or other food safety systems and Quality Assurance process improvement skills required. SQF certification preferred but not required.
• Strong computer skills to include the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Abilities

• Standing up to 12 hours per day.
• Moving and lifting objects weighing up to 50 lbs. regularly, daily.
• Bending, twisting, reaching and grasping actions.
• Good spatial awareness working around manufacturing equipment.

Working Conditions

• Subject to cold temperatures of less than 32F for more than one hour with proper protection equipment.
• May be subject to noise above 85 decibels with proper protection equipment

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting Pay: $18.75/hour
• Schedule: 40 hours per week with set days off
• Benefits: Begin on the first day after 60 days of employment
• 401(k) with company matching
• Employee discounts
• Paid holidays

Who We Are

The Ziegenfelder Company is part of the Armstrong Group, a family-owned organization founded in 1946. With over 2,400 employees nationwide, our brands span multiple industries including utilities, protection services, development, and frozen novelties. At Ziegenfelder, we specialize in producing high-quality frozen twin pops under the Budget Saver brand, as well as private label products for major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Dollar General. Our facilities are located in Wheeling, WV; Chino, CA; Denver, CO; and Lockhart, TX. We value integrity, creativity, and innovation, and are committed to positively impacting our workforce and the communities we serve.

Armstrong is an Equal Opportunity Employer.