The Quality Control Technician – Level 1 is responsible for performing routine quality control inspections throughout the production process to ensure compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements, including USDA guidelines. This role plays a key part in maintaining food safety and product integrity by executing inspections, verifying processes, and documenting findings accurately and timely.

Daily Responsibilities:

• Ensure Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are being followed on the production floor.
• Verify that allergen control procedures are in place and that production lines are cleaned and sanitized appropriately.
• Conduct in-process quality checks according to established schedules and procedures.
• Review production inspection records for completeness and appropriate corrective action.
• Verify the packaging, labeling, and marking of finished goods is accurate and complete.
• Perform final inspections of finished products.
• Collect and test product samples to validate quality standards for each lot.
• Communicate issues related to rework and product transfers to management.
• Prepare and log all customer and third-party samples as required.
• Respond to inquiries regarding quality records and documentation.
• Maintain and update quality databases and logs.
• Report any suspicious behavior or plant security issues to the QA Director.
• Take proactive measures to prevent nonconformities related to food safety, product quality, or process control.
• Identify and report problems affecting food safety or product quality.
• Stop or control further processing or distribution of nonconforming products until issues are resolved.
• Immediately escalate food safety or quality concerns to line leads, supervisors, or management.
• Support the Hold Program, including tracking, inventory reconciliation, and processing hold transfers.
• Generate daily reports related to hold inventory and shipments.
• Conduct physical inventories of product in hold locations.
• Perform other tasks as assigned to support management and departmental goals.