QA Tech II NF - Michael Foods Inc.

Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that’s First in Food.

Michael Foods, Inc's. Norfolk, Nebraska location is northwest of Omaha. The area is known for their manufacturing, farming (both livestock and grain), education, retailing, and wholesaling. Well-known as the home of Johnny Carson. Our location produces powdered and dehydrated meat and poultry products, for use in products such as seasonings, soups, and instant meals.

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician is responsible for providing quality microbiological and chemical analysis; inspecting, verifying, and documenting food product/ packaging quality according to company policy and procedure; gathering of product and other samples to ensure safety and quality.  Quality functions may include weights, temperature checks, and monitoring the production process adhering to USDA, GMP, and sanitation guidelines.

This position has the responsibility to comply with Safety work rules at all times as well as an obligation to reinforce Safety as a Core Value. Ensure that all policies, procedures, and activities, related to Food Safety & Quality are followed and complied with uniformly, in an effort to reduce product and process variability.

• Gather product samples and verify items are in compliance within specification
• Perform swabbing and utilize best practices when gathering samples for the micro laboratory
• Obtain samples of product components from production lines to identify defective and non-conforming product and take appropriate corrective action if necessary
• Enter testing results and analysis data in to company Quality Assurance database
• Monitor and verify packaging ensuring Company standards are met (e.g., Checking bags/cases, seals, verify labels, codes, etc.)
• Continually check and record product temperatures, weights, component weights, product quality, viscosity, and product codes
• Accept, reject, or place non-conforming items on hold when necessary
• Follow all written laboratory standard operating procedures
• Follow all SQF, USDA, and FDA regulations; monitor food safety protocols and production process ensuring adherence to GMP, FDA, and sanitation guidelines; take corrective action as necessary if standards are not being met
• Data entry into Microsoft Office, Access, Excel, and Word to maintain all results
• Inventory of all laboratory supplies
• Calibrate, monitor, and maintain all laboratory equipment
• Work with autoclave/hazardous materials
• Work with hazardous chemical materials
• Send out samples to third party laboratories
• Pass AOAC and USDA check sample sets and audits
• All techs must be trustworthy, reliable, detail oriented, organized, accurate, self-motivated and able to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously
• Maintain and operate all equipment in a safe manner to avoid injury to self or others and demonstrate safety as a top priority
• Report all work-related injuries or unsafe conditions to supervisor immediately.
• Use appropriate safety equipment when required (ear plugs, rubber boots, safety glasses, face shields, aprons, bump caps, etc.) Use lockout/tagout procedures when required
• Maintain good personal hygiene
• Complete internal HACCP training
• Follow all SQF principles pertinent to your position as specified by the SQF Practitioner.
• Report all Food Safety & Quality issues to a Supervisor, QA Manager, or at Senior Manager.
• Follow instructions from supervisor and cooperate with coworkers and other departments be willing to fill in where needed
• Assume personal responsibility to insure safe and healthy workplace for everyone. Adhere to all safety policies and procedures, incorporate safety and health in all jobs/tasks, and actively determine ways to improve safety
• Adhere to Quality work practices, follow GMP’s, maintain sanitary conditions and ensure that product quality is maintained.  Report to management any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety and quality
• Ensure regulatory compliance at all times
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education: Preferred 2- or 4-year Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science or related fields; Minimum High School Diploma or GED

Work Experience: Preferred 2-3 years working in Laboratory or Food Processing Plant

Language Skills: Ability to speak, read, and interpret documents in English such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization. Must have excellent written and verbal communications

Mathematical Skills:   Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Exhibits an understanding of basic Algebra.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, actively listen, type and work on a computer all as daily tasks.  Employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.  The employee is required to lift 10-50 lbs. 

Work Environment:  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment may be loud and require hearing protection.  Special care must be taken when working with or around microbes and chemicals.  Safety material are provided, and Personal Protective Equipment should be worn where applicable (lab and production floor).  Must be able to work in 80 to 100-degree temperatures. Must be able to safely lift up to 50lbs.

Other Skills and Abilities:  Must have good people skills with an ability to listen, understand, collaborate, communicate, and assure complete information.  Ability to work individually as well as with others as a team at all levels.