Quality Technician 2nd Shift

Balchem; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Balchem in Minnesota seeks a QA Technician to support manufacturing by verifying compliance with the QMS, SOPs, and product specifications. The role emphasizes safety, food quality, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

The incumbent will monitor processes, calibrate lab equipment, and assist with QA documentation and corrective actions to sustain high product quality and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in QA within food manufacturing or related regulatory guidelines.
• Proficient with data entry and basic statistical checks.
• Strong attention to safety, quality, and procedural compliance.
• Ability to document issues and support corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor documentation, report quality issues, verify Critical Control Points.
• Calibrate scales, probes, thermometers, moisture analyzers and other lab equipment.
• Ensure allergen procedures, GMPs, SSOPs and the Food Safety Plan are followed.
• Conduct weekly environmental swabs and monthly inspections as assigned.
• Test raw materials and finished products for quality compliance.
• Draft HOLD tags and assist with product disposition as needed.
• Support the batch release and positive release processes.
• Maintain a safe, organized, clean work environment.
• Represent QA in cross-functional teams; communicate non-conformances.
• Lead root-cause investigations and assist with CAPA implementation.

Skills

Quality Assurance

GMP compliance

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Pay up to: $22.50/hr with shift differential 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