QA Technician (1st Shift)

Company: Russell Stover Chocolates
Location: Corsicana
Posted on: September 11, 2023

Job Description:

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!----A day in the life---As the Quality Assurance Technician, you will review and evaluate required plant quality documentation to ensure compliance in the areas of quality, food safety, and regulatory. You will provide oversight into daily work activities conducted by the line inspectors to ensure compliance with code dates, correct rotation code and labeling. You will also gather and analyze samples for testing and provide oversight for ingredients being received as well as the inspection of raw materials. As the Quality Technician, you will assure that the plant effectively executes Lab policies, procedures, and systems established by the Corporate Quality Organization in the areas of Quality and Food Safety, analytical and performance testing methodologies.--What you will be doing--- Champions the ownership of Food Safety and Food Quality programs to all plant personnel Assist Supervisor in the Development, Implementation and Maintenance of the Quality and Food Safety (HACCP) programs including employee training, document control and program auditing Assure plant QA lab compliance including record keeping, laboratory execution, Quality Alert effectiveness, hold and release protocols and COA compliance. Maintain high Good Laboratory Practices Lead laboratory in troubleshooting micro related deficiencies, working with technical resources (Quality, Engineering, and R&D) and plant management resources to identify root cause and eliminate recurring lab - quality related issues Educate plant personnel on, and assure plant compliance with Lab Quality Systems, including recordkeeping, laboratory execution and product grading, Quality Alert effectiveness, hold and release protocols and COA compliance Assist with Third Party Microbiological and Chemical testing program to ensure reliable and efficient test results and ensures that plant laboratory is in compliance with equipment and procedural standards including calibration program Proactively review, analyze and report on out of compliance findings, which include documenting and required following-ups Ensure that "out of specification" product test results, which indicate action on product inventories, are communicated to the appropriate personnel expediently Work with Quality, Production, Maintenance, Transportation and Distribution to ensure compliance to Food Safety Plans (HACCP Plan). Promote understanding of process lines Food Safety Plans Conduct Internal GMP Audits monthly as part of the Internal Auditing Team and participate in internal audit corrective action review meetings Maintenance of Quality Systems documentation to include QA, production, sanitation, organizing document numbering, archiving and storagePrincipal Accountabilites----
Manage a clean, tidy laboratory and ensure safe, accurate and efficient analyses. Manage lab work request prioritization to ensure customer satisfaction. Ensure prompt communication of results and proper data storage for expedient retrieval. Ensure laboratory methods manuals and laboratory SOP's are current and complete. Control purchases of stock supplies to ensure best price and optimal inventories. Identify opportunities before they become a problem focusing on root cause analysis and preventative action. Drive people development within the plant quality department, including and promoting for success, technical/functional training, leadership development, and performance management.
60%
Execution and Maintenance of Quality & Food Safety Systems including the Food Safety Plan (HACCP), and prerequisite programs including Pest Control, Maintenance, Sanitation, GMP's, Calibration of Equipment, Control of Physical Contamination, Allergen Control, Transport and Delivery, Training of Personnel, Food Defense and Internal Auditing. Functions as local expert on quality programs and implementation of corrective and preventative actions. Supports root cause analysis of quality related problems with Operations.
35%
Perform QA auditing functions as staffing requirements dictate.
5%
Total
100%
--Do you have what it takes?-- (Basic Qualifications)
Background in food technology, food science, confectionary, microbiology, or chemistry is a plus Detail oriented the ability to balance multiple priorities, or a sense of urgency for problem solving and continuous improvement One (1) year of quality, sanitation, and production experience in the food industry, preferably in confectionary, are required, with an intimate knowledge of and passion for quality and sanitation methods and techniques. Strong level of assertiveness needed to be balanced with exceptional interpersonal skills to achieve results without direct authority Good communication skills and teamwork oriented Proficient computer, reading, writing and math skills--What it's like at the Russell Stover Plants Safety. Your safety is important to us, so we provide protective gear. We also go through an in-depth Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training on your first day and continue to share safety tips daily
Surroundings. You'll be working around different machines - Schubert's, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and chocolate candy banks/steels. Activity. Some activities may require standing in one place for long periods, walking around, or climbing stairs/ladders, and routinely lift 50 lbs.
Temperature. You will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment. Our temperatures are consistently around 63--F but could fluctuate depending on your specific role. Smell. You will enjoy a variety of deliciously sweet aromas and you may end your day smelling like chocolate! Dress code. Relaxed, with a few rules to follow for food safety, personal safety and in guidance with our good manufacturing practices (GMP). Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required. Leather, imitation leather, or rubber boots or shoes must be worn in the kitchen and other areas when working around hot liquid/product or hot water.--At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.--We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.--Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.Make Happy. Work Happy.--

Keywords: Russell Stover Chocolates, DeSoto , QA Technician (1st Shift), Professions , Corsicana, Texas