Quality Technician

ofi North America (Olam Food Ingredients); Lenoir City (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K Match on Day 1

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation from Day 1

Job summary

ofi North America (Olam Food Ingredients) is seeking a Quality Inspector to ensure products meet quality, food safety, and customer specifications. You will work with machine operators and end-of-line staff to uphold standards and drive continuous improvement.

The role is fully onsite in Lenoir City, TN, reporting to the Quality Supervisor. Applicants should have a GED/high school diploma, strong attention to detail, and experience with quality testing equipment/software.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; or equivalent experience via 1–3 months of related work.
• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Ability to read, comprehend instructions and follow procedures with accuracy.
• Commitment to safe, quality foods and regulatory compliance.
• Strong attention to detail and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Maintain quality and food safety mindset to ensure top product quality.
• Operate in a safe environment and report unsafe conditions immediately.
• Ensure regulatory compliance per Food Safety Plan and SOPs.
• Verify production parameters: seal, packaging, lot/date, labels.
• Verify attributes like oxygen levels, bean specs, grind, color, density.
• Complete documentation and quality checks; review with operators.
• Support changeovers, sanitation, and reassembly as needed.
• Aid in training new hires and production employees.
• Communicate line issues to supervision; assist in material restocking.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Safety awareness

Education

GED/High School Diploma

Tools

Quality testing equipment

Quality testing software

Job description

Description

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary

ofi values in-person collaboration with colleagues – this is a fully onsite position where employees are expected to work their specific work schedule onsite. Reporting to the Quality Supervisor, the primary responsibility of a Quality Inspector is to ensure products coming off the line meet all quality, food safety and customer specifications. The Quality Inspector works with the machine operator(s) and end-of-line personnel when applicable to ensure all requirements are followed and adjustments are made as necessary to ensure high-quality coffee or tea is produced.

What You’ll Do - Position Responsibilities

• Possess quality and food safety mindset to ensure highest quality product comes off the line.
• Maintain an environment that is safe and healthy and report unsafe situations or conditions immediately.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance is adhered to as outlined in Food Safety Plan and other quality Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Verify all parts and aspects of production are correct – seal integrity, packaging artwork, lot and date information, laser etching where applicable, cartons, boxes, case labels, etc.
• Where required, verify special attributes are met, including oxygen levels, whole bean specification, grind, color, density, etc.
• Ensure correct items are used to produce each product.
• Ensure weights and case counts are correct by monitoring at required intervals.
• Ensure box printing, taping and pallet configuration is correct (format, color code, ti-hi)
• Ensure all required documentation is completed clearly, legibly and accurately. Complete all scheduled quality checks. Review work with machine operators and turn in completed paperwork as required.
• Conduct and/or support effective and efficient changeovers, including disassembly, sanitation and reassembly as needed.
• Keep a clean work area. Transfer materials, supplies and products between work areas using moving equipment and hand tools. When not in use, store clean tools, utensils, and machine parts in a sanitary manner.
• Act and ensure that proper follow-up has taken place when quality defects occur.
• Aids in training new hires and the development of production employees, once certified.
• Communicates all problems with the packaging line (maintenance, downtime, etc.) or personnel to the supervision.
• Supports the production line with restocking of materials, running through break and grinding of coffee.
• Ability and willingness to support Company food safety culture and core values.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience You’ll Bring – Role Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work flexible hours including overtime, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Understand written or verbal instructions or job duties, follow instructions thoroughly, ask questions if necessary, be engaged in the work, and be a partner in producing the finest ofi products.
• Follow established programs, policies, and practices, and work safely to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements.
• Strong attention to detail is required.
• Excellent communication skills are required.
• Proficiency in using quality testing equipment and software is required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team is required.
• Ability to use full range of motion to bend, stretch, kneel, squat, climb stairs/ladder and work standing-up for much of the entire shift is required.
• Work in a light industrial and somewhat warm environment (during summer) or cool areas (during the winter).
• Have ability to deal with problems involving variables in standardized situations.
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and comply with all safety policies and requirements.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization

ofi provides employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that is designed to support your career, health, and future. A Rewarding Career Awaits!

The pay for this role ranges from $15.50-$17.50 per hour and is based on position responsibilities and geographic location. Actual pay within this range may be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and/or other determining factors.

Comprehensive and Affordable Benefits

Coverage for you and your eligible dependents with plans designed for peace of mind and savings for the future.

A Culture of Well‑being

Paid Volunteer time off, access to events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being for you and your family.

Family Support

Paid parental leave, Fertility benefits and lactation support, including milk shipping for traveling employees.

Additional Perks That Make a Difference

• Vacation time from Day 1 – Your time off starts accruing immediately, growing with your tenure.
• Paid Sick Leave – Rest, recover, and return strong – with paid sick leave on ofi.
• Company Paid Holidays – ofi values work‑life balance and the importance of celebrating life’s special moments.
• 401K Match on Day 1 – Invest in your future with our competitive retirement savings program.
• Career Growth and Learning – Join a company committed to developing talent, fostering innovation, and creating meaningful opportunities.

ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: [email protected]

At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.