Quality Assurance Technician, 1st shift Acorn

Farmer Focus; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly payroll

Paid time off and sick leave

Medical coverage (semi-subsidized)

Dental & vision plan

401(k) with company match

HSA and FSA

Education reimbursement

Employee assistance programs (EAP)

Career development programs

Job summary

Farmer Focus is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to support food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and production standards throughout the poultry production process. You will help ensure finished product meets Farmer Focus standards and that operations comply with plant HACCP, SSOP, GMP, and company procedures.

The role requires attention to detail, accurate documentation, strong communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced poultry processing environment.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• 1–2 years of experience in poultry production.
• Must be able to read and write English.
• Verbal communication skills with the ability to explain concepts clearly.
• Excellent reading comprehension and writing skills, including good grammar and spelling.
• Strong analytical ability and math skills.
• Ability to organize, plan, and complete work in a timely manner.
• Self-starter with the ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision at times.
• Ability to follow directions from a lead, supervisor, and manager.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to accurately complete Quality Assurance documentation.
• Ability to support HACCP, SSOP, GMP, sanitation, food safety, and quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assure finished product meets company standards.
• Assure product throughout the production process is handled and produced in accordance with HACCP, SSOP, and GMP procedures.
• Assure sanitary conditions in production areas are maintained per regulatory requirements.
• Record findings observed during verification and pre-shipment review checks.
• Perform pre-operational and operational sanitary inspections.
• Perform HACCP and GMP related tasks.
• Collect product samples during operations.
• Assist in the preparation and shipping of product samples.
• Generate daily Quality Assurance documentation.
• Assist USDA inspectors as required.
• Support Production in corrective actions development and implementation.
• Communicate quality, food safety, or sanitation concerns to the appropriate lead, supervisor, or manager.
• Follow all company policies and safety requirements.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Reading and writing

Analytical ability

Teamwork

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Details

Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician

Compensation Range: $19.50/hr.
Department: Quality Assurance
Reports To: Quality Assurance Supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Acorn facility
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Shift / Schedule: 1st shift
Travel Requirements: N/A
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope

The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for supporting food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and production standards throughout the poultry production process. This role helps ensure finished product meets Farmer Focus standards and that production activities are carried out in accordance with plant HACCP, SSOP, GMP, and company procedures.

The Quality Assurance Technician plays an important role in monitoring sanitary conditions, performing inspections, collecting samples, generating documentation, supporting USDA interactions, and assisting Production with corrective actions. This position requires strong attention to detail, accurate documentation, communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced poultry processing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assure finished product meets company standards.
• Assure product throughout the production process is handled and produced in accordance with plant HACCP, SSOP, and GMP procedures.
• Assure sanitary conditions in production areas are maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Accurately record findings observed during verification checks and pre-shipment review checks.
• Perform pre-operational and operational sanitary inspections.
• Perform HACCP and GMP related tasks.
• Collect product samples during operations.
• Assist in the preparation and shipping of product samples.
• Generate daily Quality Assurance documentation.
• Assist USDA inspectors as required.
• Support Production in the development, effectiveness, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Communicate quality, food safety, or sanitation concerns to the appropriate lead, supervisor, or manager.
• Follow all company policies, food safety procedures, safety requirements, and department standards.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

Benefits

Farmer Focus offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support team members’ health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Available offerings may include weekly payroll, paid time off and sick leave, semi-subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision plan options, a 401(k) plan with company match, HSA and FSA, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAP), and internal learning, development, and career growth programs.

All benefits, programs, and offerings are subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and company policies, and may be changed, amended, or discontinued by Farmer Focus at any time.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1–2 years of experience in poultry production.
• Must be able to read and write English.
• Verbal communication skills with the ability to explain concepts clearly.
• Excellent reading comprehension and writing skills, including good grammar and spelling.
• Strong analytical ability and math skills.
• Ability to organize, plan, and complete work in a timely manner.
• Self-starter with the ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision at times.
• Ability to follow directions from a lead, supervisor, and manager.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to accurately complete Quality Assurance documentation.
• Ability to support HACCP, SSOP, GMP, sanitation, food safety, and quality requirements.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Labeling experience.
• Bilingual ability.
• Prior Quality Assurance experience in poultry processing, food processing, manufacturing, or production.
• Experience performing inspections, collecting samples, completing pre-operational or operational checks, or supporting corrective actions.
• Experience working with USDA inspectors or regulatory requirements in a production environment.

New team members must be able to pass a drug and alcohol screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel

Work is conducted primarily in a manufacturing and poultry production environment. This role requires access to production areas, Quality Assurance work areas, sample collection points, and sanitation inspection areas. The team member must be able to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chill conditions within the plant. Hearing and eye protective equipment are required in the production area. Hair and beard nets are required in the production area. Additional personal protective equipment may be required based on task, location, and safety requirements. This position requires color vision corrected to 20/20 and the ability to write notes in English. The role may require sitting approximately 10% of the time, walking approximately 60% of the time, and standing approximately 30% of the time. The team member must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled.

About Farmer Focus

Farmer Focus exists to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.

EOE, including disability/vets