Quality Assurance Technician

Verve Coffee Roasters; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free coffee with every paycheck

30% employee discount on all items

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Verve Coffee Roasters is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician in Santa Cruz, CA to join our production team. The role supports QA, compliance, and continuous improvement across roasting, packaging, and warehouse operations.

The ideal candidate has 1+ years in food/beverage quality control, familiarity with SQF/HACCP, and strong attention to detail. This on-site position emphasizes audit readiness and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in food/beverage manufacturing, quality control, or production operations.
• SQF / HACCP / PCQI awareness or certification preferred (or willingness to complete training upon hire).
• Knowledge of Organic regulations and processing standards is a plus.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Daily Production & Packaging Quality Verification across roasting, packaging, and fulfillment.
• Audit production schedules and inspect staged raw materials for quality release.
• Conduct fulfillment and shipping audits for order accuracy and packaging requirements.
• Support SQF and Organic programs through routine walkthroughs and monitoring.
• Assist in training staff on SOPs, GMPs, organic integrity, and food safety practices.

Skills

Quality control

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

ERP software

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Food Science / related field

Tools

ERP software

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Quality Assurance Technician

Indirect 104 Bronson Street, Santa Cruz, CA, US

At Verve Coffee Roasters, we believe the coffee experience is our responsibility from seed to cup. Coffee is our craft, our ritual, our passion. It drives us and inspires us. With this simple truth and responsibility we are bridging the gap from farmlevel to streetlevel. Verve is looking for a Quality Assurance Technician to join our team in Santa Cruz, CA.

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Technician plays a critical role on the production floor, serving as the hands‑on link between daily operations and Verve’s quality, safety, and compliance standards. Reporting directly to the QA & Compliance Manager, this role is embedded alongside our roasting, packaging, and warehouse teams to execute the SQF system, maintain strict Organic integrity, perform daily sampling and drive audit readiness across all shifts.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Production & Packaging Quality Verification

Perform regular operational checks across roasting, packaging, and fulfillment to verify product weights, machine calibrations, labeling, roast dates, and SKU‑to‑packaging accuracy

Audit production schedules and inspect staged raw materials to grant quality release prior to production runs; collect representative product samples for quality evaluations

Conduct fulfillment and shipping audits to verify customer order accuracy, container staging, and specialized wholesale packaging requirements

2. Audit Readiness, SQF & Organic Compliance

Serve as on‑floor support for SQF and Organic programs by conducting routine facility walkthroughs, pre‑operational checks, and operational monitoring

Enforce strict organic segregation and cross‑contamination controls while auditing lot numbers, material tags, and lot‑tracing records to ensure complete mass‑balance traceability

Maintain organized, audit‑ready records, document non‑conformances, partner with production leads on CAPA execution

Assist during internal, customer, and regulatory audits

3. Cross‑Functional Support & Training

Partner with roasting, packaging, and warehouse teams to resolve quality holds, deviations, and operational issues in real time

Assist in training staff on SOPs, GMPs, organic integrity, and food safety practices

Supports special quality projects, as directed by the QA Manager

Qualifications and Requirements

1+ years of experience in food/beverage manufacturing, quality control, or production operations. Coffee industry experience is a plus

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is a plus

SQF / HACCP / PCQI awareness or certification preferred (or willingness to complete training upon hire); knowledge of Organic regulations and processing standards is a plus

Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast‑paced environment

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite and ERP software and electronic data entry

High observational aptitude with a focus on precision

A high‑compliance mindset with a methodical approach to following standards

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written

Must have or be willing to obtain forklift certification

Bilingual Spanish is a plus.

Coffee production knowledge is a plus.

Physical Requirements

The following physical demands outline the requirements necessary for employees to effectively carry out the essential functions of this position. Please note that our facility operates in a non‑climate‑controlled environment, subjecting employees to varying temperatures, including heat during the summer and cold during the winter.

During the performance of duties, employees are expected to engage in regular communication, auditory perception, and reading tasks. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to fulfill essential job functions. This role is dynamic and involves prolonged periods of standing (or being on one's feet for up to 8 hours), walking, bending, stooping, climbing ladders, and crouching throughout the shift. Additionally, employees will be required to lift products and packaging overhead and may frequently handle items weighing between 25 and 70 pounds. Essential vision capabilities for this role encompass close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Furthermore, adept finger and wrist dexterity are essential for successful performance in this position.

Benefits and Compensation

Available to all employees

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Physical and mental health, financial and legal coaching available at no cost to the employee

Free coffee with every paycheck and 30% employee discount on all merchandise, whole bean, beverages, and food items

Mentorship and positive work environment

After 60 days of employment

Healthcare Benefits (for full‑time employees working over 30 hours per week) including medical, dental, vision and 401k

Holiday Pay after 90 days of employment.

Eight observed holidays per year

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and location

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. Job responsibilities can change according to the operational needs of the business. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

Verve Coffee Roasters is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity as an integral component of building a trusted brand and a successful team. Candidates who can contribute to this mission are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area. Verve is an equal‑opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, and discharge will be based on competence, performance, and business needs. Verve does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.