Thermopac Quality Tech

Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital; Stone Mountain (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

AmeriQual is seeking a Quality Technician to perform routine analytical testing, microbiological analyses, and equipment calibration in a high‑speed manufacturing setting in Stone Mountain, GA. The role emphasizes accuracy, environmental monitoring, and adherence to GMPs while supporting production decisions.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma with preferred associate coursework in Food Science or Chemistry, and experience in laboratory or quality environments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or coursework in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related field preferred.
• Experience in laboratory, manufacturing, or quality roles is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret documentation and data accurately.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine analytical, microbiological, and sensory testing on in-process products, raw materials, and finished goods.
• Calibrate and verify laboratory and testing equipment; maintain calibration records.
• Support environmental monitoring programs and GMP compliance.
• Document results accurately in laboratory records and systems; interpret outcomes for production decisions.
• Communicate deviations or trends to Quality leadership for prompt actions.
• Assist in investigations related to product defects or nonconformances.
• Collaborate with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Warehouse to improve quality and process controls.

Skills

Detail oriented

Organized

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Location 1609 Stone Ridge Drive,Stone Mountain, GA, 30083,United States
• Base Pay $19.73 / Year
• Job Category Quality, Food Manufacturing
• Industry Food Manufacturing
• Employee Type Hourly Non-Exempt
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others No

Contact information

• Name Kayte Edelen
• Email [e-mail]

Position Summary

The Quality Technician is responsible for performing routine product testing, microbiological analysis, equipment calibrations, line audits, environmental monitoring, and laboratory support activities to ensure products are manufactured safely, consistently, and in compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality standards.

This role serves as a critical support function to plant operations by providing timely, accurate, and reliable analytical results used to guide production decisions and maintain product quality. The Quality Technician must understand not only how to perform required testing, but also why the testing is performed, how the results impact product quality and food safety, and how batch adjustments may influence analytical outcomes and product characteristics.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, technically curious, and capable of working collaboratively across departments in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position works closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Quality leadership to support continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and compliance with food safety and quality requirements.

Product Testing & Analytical Support

• Perform routine analytical, microbiological, and sensory testing on in-process products, raw materials, environmental samples, and finished goods in accordance with established procedures and specifications.
• Conduct testing including, but not limited to:
  • Salt
  • pH
  • Brix / Solids
  • Titratable acidity (TA)
  • Viscosity
  • Fat
  • Water activity
  • Drain Weight
  • Color
  • Sensory evaluation
  • ATP swabs
  • Microbiological plating and analyzing
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product grading activities to assess product appearance, texture, flavor, aroma, consistency, and overall acceptability.
• Perform product cutting, sample preparation, and grading evaluations in accordance with product specifications and quality standards.
• Accurately interpret and document analytical and microbiological results in laboratory records, production documentation, and electronic systems as required.
• Understand the purpose and importance of each test and how results impact product quality, food safety, shelf life, process performance, and customer requirements.
• Recognize trends, abnormal results, or out-of-specification conditions and promptly communicate concerns to Production and Quality leadership.
• Assist Production and Sanitation teams by providing timely feedback regarding product quality and process performance.
• Develop a foundational understanding of how process or batch adjustments may affect analytical results, product consistency, texture, flavor, moisture, viscosity, pH, microbial activity, or other product characteristics.
• Support investigations related to product defects, deviations, holds, or nonconformances as directed.

Equipment Calibration & Laboratory Maintenance

• Perform routine calibration and verification activities on laboratory and production testing equipment according to established schedules and procedures.
• Maintain calibration records accurately and ensure equipment remains compliant and audit-ready.
• Perform calibration activities including, but not limited to:
  • pH meters
  • Thermometers
  • Water activity meters
  • Brookfield viscometers
  • Moisture analyzers
  • ATP systems
  • Incubators
  • Other laboratory instrumentation
• Identify malfunctioning or inaccurate equipment and elevate issues appropriately.
• Assist with preventive maintenance and routine care of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepare and maintain testing solutions, reagents, media, standards, and supplies as required.

Food Safety Verification & Environmental Monitoring

• Conduct routine production floor audits to verify compliance with GMPs, food safety requirements, process controls, sanitation standards, and operational procedures.
• Perform pre-operational inspections to verify equipment cleanliness, line readiness, allergen controls, and sanitation effectiveness prior to production startup.
• Conduct ATP swabbing and verification activities to assess sanitation effectiveness and escalations accordingly.
• Perform environmental monitoring program (EMP) swabbing in accordance with established environmental monitoring procedures and schedules.
• Collect, label, document, and submit environmental and product samples accurately and in compliance with testing requirements.
• Verify production documentation, line checks, product identification, labels, and operational controls for accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor adherence to sanitation, allergen, housekeeping, and operational standards throughout the facility.
• Communicate observations, concerns, and opportunities for improvement professionally and effectively to Operations and Quality leadership.
• Support food safety programs, environmental monitoring programs, and process verification activities as assigned.

Sample Retention & Documentation Control

• Maintain product retention samples in accordance with company procedures and customer or regulatory requirements.
• Ensure retained samples are accurately labeled, organized, traceable, and stored under appropriate conditions.
• File, organize, and maintain laboratory, environmental monitoring, and quality records in a neat, accurate, and retrievable manner.
• Support audit readiness by ensuring laboratory documentation and records remain complete, legible, and compliant with Good Documentation Practices (GDPs).

Laboratory Organization & Compliance

• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and readiness to support efficient and accurate testing activities.
• Ensure laboratory workspaces, equipment, utensils, chemicals, microbiological media, and supplies are properly cleaned, stored, labeled, and maintained.
• Manage laboratory inventory levels and communicate supply needs proactively.
• Dispose of laboratory waste, microbiological media, and testing materials in accordance with company procedures and safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance with laboratory safety, chemical handling, and food safety procedures at all times.

Cross-Functional Support & Continuous Improvement

• Work collaboratively with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Sanitation, and Quality teams to support plant operations and resolve quality-related issues.
• Demonstrate urgency, accountability, and professionalism while supporting production needs and quality expectations.
• Participate in training activities and continuously develop technical knowledge of products, processes, testing methods, microbiology, and food safety principles.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality systems, laboratory operations, efficiency, compliance, sanitation effectiveness, and product consistency.
• Assist in training new Quality Technicians or plant personnel in testing procedures, sanitation verification, and quality expectations as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or coursework in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related field preferred.
• Previous laboratory, manufacturing, food production, microbiology, or quality experience preferred.
• Basic understanding of food safety, sanitation, and quality principles preferred.
• Ability to perform analytical and microbiological testing accurately and consistently.
• Ability to read, interpret, and complete documentation accurately.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and data entry systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to learn and understand product specifications, testing methods, sanitation verification activities, and process impacts.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, reach, communicate, and use hands repetitively. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

This position regularly works within a manufacturing and laboratory environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, moving equipment, wet conditions, and exposure to food allergens, chemicals, microbiological media, and cleaning agents.

Visual acuity, color differentiation, depth perception, and sensory evaluation abilities are required to perform product inspections, analytical testing, microbiological analysis, and equipment calibrations accurately.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on business needs.

Additional Information

• EEO Stmt AmeriQual is an equal opportunity employer who prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or other protected status.