Quality Assurance Technician (QA Tech)

The Food Source International, Inc.; Exton (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Food Source International, Inc. is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician (QA Tech) to join our Exton, PA manufacturing team.

You will inspect and test products at various stages of production to ensure compliance with quality standards and food safety requirements. Responsibilities include sampling, documenting findings, supporting corrective actions, and collaborating with production and QA teams to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience in a quality assurance role in a food manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of food safety regulations and industry standards including HACCP, BRC, and cGMPs.
• Ability to perform laboratory tests and measurements and use laboratory equipment effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and experience with ERP systems and quality management software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs inspections and testing of materials, products, and processes to identify potential quality or food safety issues and reports findings to Quality Assurance Management for corrective or preventive action.
• Conducts sanitation and hygiene inspections, performs quality checks on raw materials, work in progress, and finished batches, and reports any nonconformances to QA Management for review or disposition.
• Sample incoming products.
• Documents and reports deviations from established quality standards to quality assurance manager and teams.
• Participates in development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Assists in investigation and resolution of customer complaints related to product quality and safety.
• Collaborates with production teams to ensure that product specifications and quality standards are met.
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment.
• Promotes a culture of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Serves as backup to Quality Assurance Technician Exton, including GMP inspections, swabbing, preoperational inspections, and product organoleptic testing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Laboratory testing skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Food Safety Certifications

Tools

ERP systems

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Summary/Objective

Quality Assurance Technician (QA Tech) plays a crucial role in ensuring that products or services meet established quality standards and food safety requirements throughout the manufacturing process. The QA Tech is responsible for inspecting and testing products at various stages of production, identifying issues, documenting findings, and proposing improvements. The QA Tech acts as a quality control gatekeeper, maintaining compliance with company protocols and regulatory guidelines.

Summary/Objective

Quality Assurance Technician (QA Tech) plays a crucial role in ensuring that products or services meet established quality standards and food safety requirements throughout the manufacturing process. The QA Tech is responsible for inspecting and testing products at various stages of production, identifying issues, documenting findings, and proposing improvements. The QA Tech acts as a quality control gatekeeper, maintaining compliance with company protocols and regulatory guidelines.

Essential Functions

The Quality Assurance Technician (QA Tech) is responsible for inspecting and testing products at various stages of production to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory guidelines. This includes sampling product, checking item identities and quantities, identifying defects, documenting findings, reviewing records, and maintaining accurate records of inspections and test data. The QA Tech collaborates with production, and quality teams to address non-conformance issues and propose process improvements. They ensure all procedures align with company protocols and adhere to safety standards. Acting as a quality control gatekeeper, the QA Tech supports continuous improvement initiatives and ensures that all products meet established food safety requirements and quality specifications before reaching customers.

Responsibilities/Skills/Abilities

• Performs inspections and testing of materials, products, and processes to identify potential quality or food safety issues and reports findings to Quality Assurance Management for corrective or preventive action.
• Conducts sanitation and hygiene inspections, performs quality checks on raw materials, workinprogress, and finished batches, and reports any nonconformances to QA Management for review or disposition. Conduct routine quality checks on raw materials, inprocess products, and finished goods using established testing protocols and equipment.
• Sample incoming products.
• Document and report any deviations from established quality standards to quality assurance manager, production and management teams.
• Participate in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Assist in the investigation and resolution of customer complaints related to product quality and safety.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure that product specifications and quality standards are met consistently.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Promotes a culture of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Serves as backup to Quality Assurance TechnicianExton, including all associated job functions including, but not limited to:
• GMP inspections
• Swabbing
• Preoperational inspections
• Product organoleptic testing.
• Preparing and sending samples to 3rd party laboratory
• The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
• Denotes food safety responsibilities

Work Experience Requirements

• Minimum of two years’ experience in a quality assurance role in a food manufacturing environment required.
• Working knowledge of food safety regulations and industry standards including HACCP, BRC, and cGMPs.
• Ability to perform laboratory tests and measurements and use laboratory equipment effectively and efficiently.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify and communicate quality issues effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and experience with ERP systems and quality management software preferred.
• Ability to work in a fastpaced environment and prioritize tasks effectively.

Education/Knowledge Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (minimum requirement)
• Food Safety Certifications such as PCQI, HACCP, or Food Defense

Reports To: Quality Assurance Supervisor
Supervisory responsibilities: None
Backup: Quality Assurance Manager

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to stand for long periods of time, lift up to 50 lbs., and perform repetitive tasks. The successful candidate must be able to wear personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, gloves, ear plugs, and safety glasses due to seasoning/ingredient safety.

Work environment/Hours

• Employee will work in a fastpaced manufacturing environment that may involve noise exposure, standing for extended periods, walking, lifting, and repetitive motions.
• Fulltime Day shift with exact times and days of the week to vary. May involve very early hours. 40 hours with occasional overtime.

EEO: We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by the law.