Quality Assurance Technician

Hampton Farms; Portales (NM); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in food production seeks a dedicated Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician to ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality. This role involves monitoring production processes, conducting essential quality tests, and maintaining meticulous documentation. The ideal candidate will thrive in a team-oriented environment, demonstrating strong communication skills and a commitment to excellence. Join a forward-thinking company that values quality and safety in every aspect of its operations, where your contributions will directly impact the customer experience and product integrity.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

401K Matching

Paid Vacation and Personal Days

Paid Holidays

Military Leave

Jury Duty Leave

Qualifications

• Experience in quality operations and food safety standards.
• Ability to maintain documentation and perform quality tests.
• Knowledge of sanitation procedures and GMP policies.

Responsibilities

• Monitor product quality and safety during production.
• Conduct quality assurance tests and maintain documentation.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP and sanitation standards.

Skills

Quality Assurance Testing

Data Entry Skills

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Knowledge of HACCP

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Job description

This position is based at our Hampton Farms location in Portales, NM.

Purpose:

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician of Hampton Farms is involved in the manufacture of food products intended for the consumer. The Quality Assurance Lab Technician provides a critical position in Hampton Farms food quality and safety for producing our peanut product. Being a producer of peanuts and peanut products, the Quality Assurance Lab Technician is aware of risks involved with regards to maintaining Hampton Farms quality standards, proper packaging, proper labeling, all receiving, and shipments are properly inspected, and all documentation is correct and accurate. The Quality Assurance Lab Technician is trained in various areas pertaining to the job required. The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician must maintain a clean and sanitary work environment and must be familiar with the activity on the production floor to react if a crisis arises.

Pay Rate: $15.00 – $17.00 per hour

Essential Duties and Description:include the following though other duties may be assigned:

• Work in conjunction with all Hampton Farms team members supporting all areas of the facility.
• Partnering with other Hampton Farms team members in being committed to delivering the best possible experience to our customers and employees in support of our mission, vision, and values.
• Monitor what products are running during each shift. Hourly checks on products exiting Roaster(s), packaging machines and/or Dryer.
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance Tests to be completed: Cracked and Broken, Color Test (shell and kernel), Moisture Analyzer, LSK’s.
• Knowledge of HACCP and CCP’s at plant location. Ensure that roasters are meeting all requirements per Roaster Validation, log 5 Kill Step requirements.
• Required to taste test and visually inspect product coming off roaster(s) and packaging lines. This is completely throughout the day, as product is being produced.
• Complete work required paperwork, for example: QA documents, metal detector sheets, roasting peanuts report, and weight check sheets. Lab Tech initials on most paperwork.
• Collect samples for 3rd party laboratory for micro samples and be able to document.
• Send out samples for testing with proper paperwork.
• Be able to determine if a product needs to be put on hold and document when product goes on hold or if product is reworked.
• Data entry skills to produce reports, build files, and label printing.
• Assist with incoming products, insure they are being inspected.
• Monitor QA equipment and calibration schedules.
• Responsible for Metal Detector and magnet verification on a daily basis. Report findings to QA Manager.
• Monitor Raw Line Micro testing, Sanitation and ATP Swabbing.
• Assist with new employee orientation if needed.
• Knowledge of sanitation standard operating procedures, ensure all chemical bottles are labeled and used in the correct way. Refill chemicals as needed for production employees.
• Assist with sample requests from customers, communicate with warehouse regarding product to be used.
• Assist with UPS shipments, ensure boxes/shipments to be mailed out is located at UPS Pick-up location.
• Motivate staff to make an effective and efficient team.Skills and Competencies:
• Based on job performance, has required skills and knowledge to complete the responsibilities of his/her role.
• Demonstrates a good understanding of workplace policies and rules, customer’s requests and production/business needs.
• Understands the origin and purpose behind company policies, procedures and practices.
• Acts in accordance with the company’s mission, vision and values.
• Must possess good communication skills, written and oral.
• Participates in GMP Training, annual or as assigned.
• Understands HACCP Standards and SQF requirements.

Measures for Success:

• 100 % correct product, packaging, and orders fulfilled accurately and timely.
• Maintaining quality service by following organization standards.
• Work with team members maintaining daily sanitation by cleaning work area at end of shift.

Quality Assurance:

• Knows and adheres to GMP Policy and all Quality policies and procedures.
• Assists in identifying and/or reporting non-conforming product to aid in eliminating waste.
• ANYONE who is aware of a food safety/quality issue is to stop production immediately and inform Quality Assurance and their Manager or Supervisor of the food safety/quality issue(s) to determine whether or not product/materials should be placed on hold.
• Communicates daily with Quality Assurance Manager to ensure customer specifications are met.

General Expected Behaviors

Problem Solving:

• Solution Oriented, working until a problem is solved or outcome achieved; finds alternative ways to complete a task.
• Reacts to challenges by locating or providing solutions.
• Takes responsibility to define all requirements of a task, evaluated opportunities or strengths then takes the appropriate action as required.
• Makes timely, well-considered decisions based on current data available and is flexible with scheduled work hours/shifts.

Safety:

• Actively follows all company policies and procedures, encouraging team members to do the same.
• Engages other employees in setting high safety awareness standards.
• As required, acts to improve conditions quickly.
• Include safety emphasis in all employee meetings.
• Wears proper PPE at all times.

Work Ethic:

• Dependable and punctual to ensure company and workplace goals.
• Treats everyone with respect and dignity.
• Responds to challenges with a sense of urgency, informing other team members as required and acting accordingly.
• Actively assesses information and identifies underlying issues as required to ensure a friendly workplace.
• Plans and aligns appropriate resource to accomplish company goals.

Communication:

• Good written and verbal skills and able to communicate in a clear and understanding manner.
• Identifies barriers to communication and strategies to eliminate them.
• Applies good questioning and listening skills to ensure their understanding of information being shared.
• May coach and lead production employees in questioning, listening and identifying barriers to communication.

Additional Sanitation Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure all chemical containers are labeled and used in the correct way.
• Ensure overall compliance and adherence to sanitation schedule and/or requirements.

** If Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician is out, a trained responsible person shall be designated to run the Quality Assurance Department. Back-up will be another QA Lab Technician. **

Education and Experience:

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must be willing to work overtime and weekends.
• Ability to clearly present recommendations/ideas and to summarize issues.
• Ability to appropriately handle and maintain confidential material.
• Experience in quality operations.
• Must be able to work well both independently and collaboratively.
• Second language (Spanish), a strong plus.
• Proficient in standard Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Work).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None Required.

Job Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are required and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Degree of Physical Demands (Strength) usually associated with the essential functions of this job classification are as follows: Medium Work involves exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently or an amount greater than negligible and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of these for Light Duty. Continuous standing or sitting in one location for long periods (2-3 hours before break).

Other demand levels for this job may include the following, infrequently:

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. Described in terms of height, steepness, duration, and type of structure climbed.

Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching or erratically moving surfaces; or maintaining body equilibrium when performing mobile dexterity duties. Described in terms of type or condition of surface and activities during which balance must be maintained. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Described in terms of duration. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine. Described in terms of duration. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Frequently – Activity exists up to 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift. Frequently – Activity exists up to 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are. Frequently – Activity exists up to 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Color Vision: Ability to identify and distinguish colors. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

• Combination of manufacturing environment along with duties that will require employee to work in a production/plant environment where physical hazards such as industrial equipment and forklifts may be present.
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401K Matching
• Paid Vacation and Personal Days
• Paid Holidays
• Military Leave
• Jury Duty Leave

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

For Additional Information Visit: www.hamptonfarms.com