Quality Assurance Technician - Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

Responsible for testing, inspection of products and processes at various points in the manufacturing process to ensure adherence to company quality & food safety standards. 

The technician is also responsible for establishing and executing the disposition of products that do not meet company quality standards.

This position is responsible for performing and documenting quality and food safety checks as required, to ensure all products meet Ghirardelli’s quality standards and food safety requirements.
 

Shift Information:

Night Shift - 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.

Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday

Salary Range: $26.50

Scope of Responsibilities

Quality Assurance & Factory

• Conduct Quality Audits of lines and ‘self control’ paperwork to ensure product being produced meets established quality standards.
• Monitor electronic weight and attribute system to ensure compliance to company weight and quality standards. Communicate deviations to the appropriate department for corrective action.
• Conduct analytical testing of product and raw materials used for or during manufacture to assure they meet company standards. Some tests include: color, particle size, fat content, moisture content, viscosity, pH, count per pound, free fatty acid and peroxide value, flavor, etc.
• Recommend modifications of existing quality or production standards to achieve optimum quality within limits of equipment capability.
• Assess the quality of incoming materials to make sure they meet specifications. Utilize the TraceGains tracking system to ensure that the COAs are in compliance for all lots delivered.
• Maintain proper calibration/verification of laboratory equipment and document in the Internal Control Plan. Take appropriate action to correct equipment deviations or notify QA Supervisor of any problems.
• Conduct environmental sampling at the required frequency in adherence to the Environmental Monitoring Program.
• Audit the paperwork of operators to ensure they are conducting magnet, screen & metal detection checks at the required frequency.
• Attend the shift transition meeting on a daily basis representing the QA department.
• Evaluate current testing protocols and recommend improvements.
• Verify and document proper allergen cleanup after production changeover.
• Hold non-conforming raw materials, packaging materials, WIP and finished product be able to investigate and trouble shoot the non conformity and provide the appropriate disposition for product not meeting company quality standards.
• Conduct case cutting product analysis with operations to evaluate current product quality and prevent large-scale issues.
• Conduct co-manufacturing product analysis on retain samples and maintain records of result data.
• Participate in other sensory evaluations as required.
• Assist in training new technicians as necessary.
• Create documents on SharePoint as needed and ensure that documents being utilized accurately reflect current processes and methodology
• Conduct monthly food safety self inspection audits of areas within the facility
• Maintain the laboratory and work area 5s system
• Utilize Good Laboratory Practice when conducting testing, handling out of specification results, labeling solutions, data entry into Quality Tracker etc
• Identify and generate graphs for QA Key Performance Indicators
• Conduct verification checks on CCP

Computer

• Utilize computer to enter and track test result data.
• Evaluate test data and report deviations from existing standards.
• Evaluate incoming material Certificate of Analysis (COA) against the current company specifications. Validate COA through either internal or outside lab testing of product according to specified audit frequency.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for customers upon requests

Communication

• Good verbal and written communication skills needed to communicate with co-workers at shift change and to communicate quality issues to operations employees and supervisors.
• For business and safety reasons, must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in written English.

Miscellaneous:

• Order needed supplies for lab
• Special projects as required.
• Other miscellaneous duties as assigned

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills, Microsoft Windows and Office.
• Team player.
• Strong math skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Ability to be precise and accurate.
• Ability to make good judgment and decisions during their shift.
• Ability to read and follow documents (Standard Operating Procedures and Test Methods).
• Knowledge of GMP, 5s, GLP, HACCP and Quality & Food Safety Systems.

• BS degree in Food Science or related discipline required and one to two years related experience.

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