Quality Assurance Technician (Food Technologist)
Michigan Bread · TAYLOR, MI 48180 ·
- Category
- QA
A Quality Assurance Technician / Food Technologist at a Michigan bakery (Taylor, MI): performs daily pre-op inspections, enforces GMP/HACCP/SQF food safety programs, runs testing (ATP, pH, moisture, shelf-life), conducts audits, mock recalls, and documentation, and supports new product development and employee training.
We are looking for a passionate and detail-oriented Quality Assurance Technician, specializing as a Food Technologist, to join our food production team. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring that our food products meet the highest safety and quality standards. Your expertise will help maintain compliance with industry regulations and support continuous improvement initiatives across our manufacturing processes. If you have a strong background in food science, microbiology, and quality systems, and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you!
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
General Quality Assurance
- Perform daily pre-operational inspections to verify proper sanitation and readiness of production areas.
- Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), HACCP plans, and food safety programs.
- Monitor and verify adherence to SQF and regulatory standards.
- Conduct quality checks during production including visual inspections, weights, and product specifications.
- Review production paperwork for completeness and accuracy.
- Complete all required documentation accurately and timely.
- Place product on hold if it fails to meet specifications.
- Participate in quality assurance meetings as required.
- Conduct internal audits of facility operations.
- Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Sanitation teams to address quality issues.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Support and maintain SQF, HACCP, and food safety programs.
- Supervise and support HACCP team activities.
- Initiate, monitor, and approve Deviation and Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA) reports.
- Conduct mock recalls for ingredients, packaging, and finished goods.
- Perform label verification and raw material audits.
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and FDA regulations.
- Serve as a gatekeeper of prerequisite and operational programs.
- Conduct food safety and HACCP training for employees.
- Issue retraining documentation as needed.
Monitoring & Testing
- Monitor and record temperatures of coolers and freezers.
- Calibrate thermometers and measurement equipment regularly.
- Perform ATP testing prior to production start-up (as applicable).
- Assist with collecting samples for microbiological testing.
- Conduct sensory evaluations and product quality checks.
- Perform metal detector verification checks.
- Execute regular pH testing with Spear Meters
- Complete moisture testing with an analyzer
- Conduct Shelf-life testing
Bakery Operations Support
- Verify production schedules and product run order to avoid allergen cross contamination.
- Complete daily product quality inspection forms.
- Assist with sensory testing.
- Ensure compliance with all bakery food safety guidelines.
Product Development Support
- Verify production labels for accuracy.
- Assist with new product development and testing.
- Record and track product testing results.
- Determine appropriate processing conditions (time, temperature).
- Support implementation of new products into production.
- Train employees on new product specifications and builds.
Additional Responsibilities
- Assist with regular safety inspections.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Audit readiness (SQF, regulatory)
- Product compliance rate
- Training completion compliance
- GMP adherence
- Hold/release accuracy