Quality Technician

Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC; Abilene (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

GMP training

Protective gear provided

Climate-controlled environment

Safety tips & training

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC in Abilene, KS is seeking a Quality Technician to support Quality Assurance efforts and ensure only top‑quality chocolate products are shipped. You will work with the QA lead and team to inspect, document, and resolve quality issues while learning the duties of all QA team members for coverage during absences.

Ideal candidates have strong attention to detail, knowledge of GMP, and a passion for safe, high‑quality food products.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Ability to use MS Office and process execution software.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend, and lift during a shift.
• Ability to stand on hard surfaces for the duration of a shift.
• Must be available to work weekends/flexible schedule, dependent on production schedule.
• Must be able to differentiate between colors and shifts in colors.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment, tools, and machinery in a safe and proficient manner.
• Requests, receives, maintains, weighs, bags & inspects ingredients.
• Must be able to read and understand process specifications, scales, weights and volumes.
• Must be able to pay close attention to detail.
• Verify that process, specifications, from raw material to packaged goods, are maintained at acceptable levels.
• Maintain a high level of awareness regarding sanitation standards and conditions.
• Collaborates with employees and management from all areas of the plant to ensure compliance with RSC guidelines, rules, and procedures.
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non‑conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.
• Performs clean‑up activities as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Color vision

Standing for long periods

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Weekend availability

English fluency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Process execution software

Job description

Title: Quality Technician

ID: 201863

Department: Quality Assurance/R&D

Location: Abilene, KS

Classification: N/A

Status: Full-Time

Description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar‑free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company‑owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life...

As a Quality Assurance Tech, you will work directly with the Quality Assurance lead and Manager as well as your team members to ensure that only the finest product is shipped to our consumers. This will include conducting quality inspections, resolving quality issues, investigating root causes, and following proper procedure for all documentation. You will also learn the job function of all quality team members so that you may relieve them during breaks or while on vacation or sick leave.

What you will be doing...

• Operating equipment, tools, and machinery in a safe and proficient manner.
• Requests, receives, maintains, weighs, bags & inspects ingredients.
• Must be able to read and understand process specifications, scales, weights and volumes.
• Must be able to pay close attention to detail.
• Verify that process, specifications, from raw material to packaged goods, are maintained at acceptable levels.
• Maintain a high level of awareness regarding sanitation standards and conditions.
• Collaborates with employees and management from all areas of the plant to ensure compliance with RSC guidelines, rules, and procedures.
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non‑conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.
• Performs clean‑up activities as assigned.

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Ability to use MS Office and process execution software.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend, and lift during a shift.
• Ability to stand on hard surfaces for the duration of a shift.
• Must be available to work weekends/flexible schedule, dependent on production schedule.
• Must be able to differentiate between colors and shifts in colors.

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Two or more years in a manufacturing facility
• A passion for chocolate
• Experience in a QA/QC role with a solid understanding of food safety and compliance standards.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well‑being is our top priority, and we've got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you'll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we'll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you're always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside cutting‑edge equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels - it's a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you're on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there's never a dull moment. This is a place where you'll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year‑round with our climate‑controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens like nuts, milk, and more.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.