Quality Technician- 1st Shift

Balchem; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 18,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Balchem Corporation in Albert Lea, MN is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to support manufacturing operations, ensuring compliance with the QMS, SOPs and product specs. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to uphold safety, food safety and quality goals.

Responsibilities include monitoring documentation, testing materials, reviewing records, and assisting CAPA processes. 18+ years old, familiarity with SQF/HACCP, and MS Office proficiency are required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food manufacturing operations and equipment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).
• Ability to perform basic math and measurements.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Punctuality and dependability in all aspects of work.
• Familiarity with SQF, FDA (FSMA), HACCP and related guidelines.
• Ability to communicate clearly with cross‑functional teams.
• Experience with CAPA processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor employee documentation and quality issues.
• Verify Critical Control Points and calibrate lab equipment.
• Assist in weekly environmental swabs and monthly inspections.
• Test raw materials and finished products.
• Review production folders for positive release.
• Support the quality team and cross‑functional departments.

Skills

Food manufacturing operations

Microsoft Office

Mathematical aptitude

Attention to detail

Punctuality

Safety awareness

Communication

CAPA experience

Job description

If you are passionate about delivering excellence, and think you are a great fit with our organization, we'd love to hear from you.

For any jobs listed below without a specific city and/or state, they are considered REMOTE opportunities.

Balchem Corporation, and its subsidiaries, offers a competitive salary and benefits package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: up to $21/hr and based on experience.

Position Summary:

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician supports manufacturing operations through carrying out activities to verify compliance with the site Quality Management System (QMS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Product Specifications. They work with the cross-functional site team to meet or exceed the personnel safety, food safety, and food quality goals of the company. This position exemplifies a positive culture that encourages continuous improvement and collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performing daily tasks such as monitoring employee documentation, reporting of quality issues, verifying Critical Control Points, checking weights, calibrating scales, probes, thermometers, moisture analyzers, and other lab equipment, etc.
• Ensuring employee compliance with allergen procedures, GMP’s, SSOP’s and Food Safety Plan (HAACP)
• Assisting in the performance of weekly environmental swabs and monthly plant, glass, brittle plastic, and ceramic inspections
• Conducting Pre-Operational activities
• Testing and evaluating raw material and finished product
• Writing HOLD tags and assigning and/or assisting with the disposition of product
• Reviewing finished production folders as part of the positive release program
• Must maintain department safety rules compliance and be a positive safety role model.
• Responsible for ensuring an organized, clean and safe work environment.
• Follow all Food safety practices and processes applicable to the department.
• Execute what is required by the company QMS.
• Monitor and maintain all food safety activities as part of daily tasks.
• Enforce food safety plan while producing product.
• Promote food safety and quality to all departments
• Support and assist the manufacturing teams to meet customer and product quality performance requirements.
• Implement department Quality Management Systems (QMS) requirements. Strive to promote a world-class Quality organization.
• Effectively represent the quality team and QA issues to all internal and external customers in a timely manner.
• Communicate non-conformances and lead root cause analysis investigations followed up by corrective action
• Clear sense of urgency and ability to manage priorities to meet immediate needs and long-term goals.
• Ability to manage time and workload efficiently, and the ability to prioritize and modify priorities accordingly
• Strong safety, food-safety, and quality orientation and ability to promote these standards in a cross-functional environment.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently. Ability and willingness to provide support and training to employees on all shifts.
• Ability to troubleshoot and provide QA centered solutions in a cross-functional team environment and to lead a CAPA process.
• Demonstrated ability to work and develop others in a team environment
• Sensitive to other cultures/backgrounds, able to work in a multi-cultural workplace
• Ability and willingness to learn, practice, and improve documented work procedures
• Demonstrated ability to function in a fast-paced environment
• Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to discuss, develop, and implement plans.
• High sensitivity to quality and on time delivery of materials and services

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Knowledge of food manufacturing operations and equipment.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word
• Able to perform basic mathematical equations
• Ability to adapt in a team and/or individual setting to allow achievement of company goals
• Established communication, problem solving, and attention to detail skills
• Demonstrates punctuality and dependably in all aspects of work Ability to lift 50 lbs. and required to stand, walk, sit and reach with hands and arms.
• Familiarity with SQF, FDA (FSMA), HACCP and other regulatory and industry guidelines and requirements