Quality Technician Lead

Pittston Co-Packers; Pittston (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Pittston Co-Packers is seeking a Quality Technician Lead to oversee daily QA activities on production lines, ensuring beverage products meet safety, regulatory, and customer standards. You will perform in-process inspections, verify documentation, support root cause investigations, and guide quality technicians.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years QA experience in food or beverage manufacturing and strong knowledge of GMPs/HACCP, with a proven ability to lead in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: High school diploma or GED; 2+ years QA in food/beverage manufacturing; lead/trainer preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily QA activities on production lines to ensure safety, regulatory, and customer standards.
• Perform in-process inspections and verify documentation for accuracy.
• Support root cause investigations and provide hands-on guidance to quality technicians.
• Maintain records, participate in audits, and escalate issues to the Quality Manager.
• Coordinate with production leads and train new team members on QA procedures.

Skills

GMPs & HACCP

QA documentation

Attention to detail

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Independence & leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

QA testing equipment

QA systems

Job description

Description

Who We Are

At Pittston Co-Packers, we are a team of hardworking individuals driven by a shared purpose: delivering the highest quality beverages through innovation, precision, and pride in our craft. From our production lines to our support teams, we believe in keeping things simple, empowering each other to take ownership, and working together to achieve excellence.

We’re not just growing; we’re setting a new standard in beverage manufacturing. Our culture is built on trust, collaboration, and a strong commitment to doing things the right way. If you’re looking for a workplace where your contributions are valued, your ideas are welcomed, and your growth is supported, you’ll feel right at home with us.

Job Summary

The Quality Technician Lead is responsible for leading daily quality assurance activities across production lines to ensure all beverage products meet safety, regulatory, and customer standards. This role performs in-process inspections, verifies documentation, supports root cause investigations, and provides hands‑on guidance to quality technicians. The ideal candidate has a strong background in quality control within food or beverage manufacturing and excels at attention to detail, documentation, and leadership in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform visual, physical, and chemical checks on raw materials, in-process, and finished products
• Verify, and conduct when needed, fill weights, torque, lot codes, packaging integrity, and label placement
• Verify, and conduct when needed, checks for pH, Brix, temperature, and visual defects
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and internal quality standards
• Assign and guide daily tasks for Quality Technicians on shift
• Review QC records for accuracy and completeness
• Provide on-the-job training and feedback for new and existing team members
• Serve as the quality point of contact for production leads during shift
• Maintain accurate records of all inspections and tests per company SOPs
• Complete hold tags, deviation reports, and non-conformance investigations
• Assist in preparing for internal, customer, or regulatory audits
• Monitor adherence to cleaning verification and allergen control procedures
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues
• Escalate concerns to the Quality Manager with recommended actions
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to product quality and process control
• Follow all company policies and procedures related to safety, food safety, and quality standards, including GMPs, PPE requirements, and hazard reporting
• Perform all other duties or tasks as assigned by management to support departmental or company objectives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inspection Completion Rate: Timely, accurate execution of scheduled checks
• Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs): Frequency, accuracy, and timely completion
• Documentation Accuracy: Error‑free logs, reports, and test results
• Team Performance: Completion and quality of shift QC tasks

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred
• 2+ years of quality assurance experience in food or beverage manufacturing required
• Prior experience in a lead or trainer role preferred

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, and food safety regulations
• Familiarity with analytical testing equipment and QA documentation
• Strong attention to detail and time management
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, QA systems, and basic quality reporting tools
• Ability to work independently and lead others in a collaborative environment

Pittston Co-Packers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.