Quality Assurance Technician (Food Technologist)

Michigan Bread; Taylor (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Bread is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician, specializing as a Food Technologist, to join our food production team and uphold the highest safety and quality standards. You will manage GMPs, HACCP, SQF compliance, conduct inspections, and collaborate with production, sanitation, and maintenance to drive continuous improvement.

This role requires food science knowledge, attention to detail, and strong documentation skills; on-site position in Taylor, MI.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field preferred.
• Or equivalent manufacturing experience (minimum 2 years).
• Experience in food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Basic understanding of quality systems and food safety.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily pre-operational inspections to verify sanitation and readiness of production areas.
• Enforce GMPs, SOPs, HACCP plans, and food safety programs.
• Monitor SQF and regulatory standards.
• Conduct quality checks during production including visual inspections, weights, and product specifications.
• Review production paperwork for completeness and accuracy.
• Complete all required documentation accurately and timely.
• Place product on hold if it fails to meet specifications.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Sanitation teams to address quality issues.
• Support HACCP team activities.
• Initiate and oversee CAPA reports.
• Conduct mock recalls for ingredients, packaging, and finished goods.

Skills

Attention to detail

Documentation skills

Math & analytics

Verbal & written communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Computer skills (Excel, Word)

GMPs & food safety knowledge

Education

Associate degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Quality management systems

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: TAYLOR, MI 48180Salary Range: $20.00 - $25.00 Hourly

We are looking for a passionate and detail-oriented Quality Assurance Technician, specializing as a Food Technologist, to join our food production team. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring that our food products meet the highest safety and quality standards. Your expertise will help maintain compliance with industry regulations and support continuous improvement initiatives across our manufacturing processes. If you have a strong background in food science, microbiology, and quality systems, and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you!

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

General Quality Assurance

• Perform daily pre-operational inspections to verify proper sanitation and readiness of production areas.
• Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), HACCP plans, and food safety programs.
• Monitor and verify adherence to SQF and regulatory standards.
• Conduct quality checks during production including visual inspections, weights, and product specifications.
• Review production paperwork for completeness and accuracy.
• Complete all required documentation accurately and timely.
• Place product on hold if it fails to meet specifications.
• Participate in quality assurance meetings as required.
• Conduct internal audits of facility operations.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Sanitation teams to address quality issues.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Support and maintain SQF, HACCP, and food safety programs.
• Supervise and support HACCP team activities.
• Initiate, monitor, and approve Deviation and Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA) reports.
• Conduct mock recalls for ingredients, packaging, and finished goods.
• Perform label verification and raw material audits.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and FDA regulations.
• Serve as a gatekeeper of prerequisite and operational programs.
• Conduct food safety and HACCP training for employees.
• Issue retraining documentation as needed.

Monitoring & Testing

• Monitor and record temperatures of coolers and freezers.
• Calibrate thermometers and measurement equipment regularly.
• Perform ATP testing prior to production start-up (as applicable).
• Assist with collecting samples for microbiological testing.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product quality checks.
• Perform metal detector verification checks.
• Execute regular pH testing with Spear Meters
• Complete moisture testing with an analyzer
• Conduct Shelf-life testing

Bakery Operations Support

• Verify production schedules and product run order to avoid allergen cross contamination.
• Complete daily product quality inspection forms.
• Assist with sensory testing.
• Ensure compliance with all bakery food safety guidelines.

Product Development Support

• Verify production labels for accuracy.
• Assist with new product development and testing.
• Record and track product testing results.
• Determine appropriate processing conditions (time, temperature).
• Support implementation of new products into production.
• Train employees on new product specifications and builds.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with regular safety inspections.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Audit readiness (SQF, regulatory)
• Product compliance rate
• Training completion compliance
• GMP adherence
• Hold/release accuracy

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field preferred
• ORequivalent manufacturing experience (minimum 2 years)
• Experience in food manufacturing environment preferred
• Basic understanding of quality systems and food safety

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications

• SQF experience
• HACCP certification (preferred, not required)
• PCQI certification (preferred, not required)
• Experience with food safety audits and regulatory compliance

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail
• Organizational and documentation skills
• Basic math and analytical skills
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to work cross-functionally
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Basic computer skills (Excel, Word, )
• Understanding of GMPs and food safety principles

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No direct reports
• Provides functional guidance to production, sanitation, and warehouse employees on food safety and quality requirements

Typical Mental Demands

• Ability to read and interpret specifications, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Ability to communicate and enforce standards
• Capable of prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Works effectively across all levels of the organization

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the facility
• Lift up to 25 pounds
• Work in hot, cold, and wet environments
• Use hands and arms to perform inspection tasks
• Perform repetitive motions

Vision requirements include close, distance, color, and depth perception.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, temperature changes, dust, and cleaning chemicals
• Work may involve wet floors, ladders, and extended periods standing
• Shift work and occasional extended hours may be required

Equipment, Machines & Software

• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• / quality management systems
• Measurement and testing equipment