Quality Assurance Technician

Ziegenfelder Corporation; Lockhart, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company matching

Employee discounts

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ziegenfelder Corporation is hiring a Quality Technician to help ensure that our frozen treats meet quality and safety standards. The role involves preparing inputs, monitoring production, inspecting finished goods, and supporting QA documentation.

Strong communication and computer skills are essential. Responsibilities include performing sanitation tasks, environmental monitoring, microbiological data review, and chemistry testing, while coordinating with Production and Maintenance to resolve

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products.
• Experience in food safety systems and QA processes a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare raw material inputs and monitor production processes to ensure finished products meet specifications.
• Review and document QA processes and suggest improvements.
• Perform sanitation tasks and participate in environmental monitoring.
• Record microbiological data and report findings to QA Manager.
• Conduct chemistry testing and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions.

Skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Food Science degree

Food Technology degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Essential Functions

A Ziegenfelder Quality Technician is responsible for:

• 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.

Who We Are

The Armstrong Group is a family owned and operated collection of diverse companies. What began in 1946 as Armstrong County Line Construction, founded by Jud L. Sedwick in Kittanning, PA, has now grown into an organization that encompasses multiple industries and employs over 2,400 individuals nationwide. Our brands include Armstrong Utilities, Guardian Protection, Armstrong Development, 4Front Solutions, Twin Pops, and Armstrong Comfort Solutions. Armstrong is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Armstrong Group, a family owned and operated business, now employs over 2,000 people across the nation. The company continues to value strong relationships with its employees and close ties to the communities it serves.