QA Technician

Position Summary

The QA Technician is accountable for conducting assigned product testing verifying correct packaging, product grade, size, weight, color, and condition. The Agronomy Quality Technician will monitor the work area for cleanliness and compliance in regard to food safety regulations, safety protocols, and customer specifications and will provide any corrective actions to the Agronomy Quality Supervisor. The Quality technician provides office support duties that include accurate data entry daily in the system that is used in management decisions. Data entry includes but is not limited to sizing, quality, product spec, lot numbers, varieties and fields, customer order detail, and quality testing results.

Key Business Outcomes

• Quality Control w/corrective actions
• Data Retention

Key Performance Indicators

• Quantity, quality and accuracy of inspection sampling observations and records
• Complete and on-time data retained

Career Roadmap

• QA Coordinator
• Agronomy Quality Supervisor/Production Supervisor
• Associate Agronomist

Qualifications

• Experience in produce, preferably in potatoes or a manufacturing setting
• Demonstrated ability to use all Microsoft office products such as Excel, Word
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn specialized software related to the position.

Hierarchical Placement

• Reports to: Agronomy Quality Supervisor
• Direct Reports: Not Applicable

Critical Competencies

Communication Effectiveness: Communicates problems with supervisor. Communicates status updates on projects daily or as often as needed. Maintains respectful communication with all people at work. Verbal and written work is clear.

Computer Skills: Skilled with computers, takes advantage of new technology, learns new tools quickly, uses technology to enhance job performance

Dependable Work Habits: Trusted employee: Reports to work as scheduled. Gets along with team members. Follows policies and standard operating procedures. Stays busy doing value added work. Treats others with respect.

Quality of Work: Maintains quantity and safety standards but does not compromise quality. There is a low instance of rework. Makes changes after performing rework to avoid similar mistakes. Uses tools and equipment correctly. Works cost effectively by using acceptable alternatives before expensing tools and parts. Recognizes when regular breakdowns or damage is a result of improper use and notifies appropriate managers. Takes proactive steps to avoid problems by communicating consistently with management and provides regular project updates to management. Follows established operating procedures. Completes WFC paperwork or computer documentation as required.

Safe Work Habits: Maintains clean and organized work area. References vehicle, machinery safety manuals or chemical labels prior to use and follows instructions as indicated. Displays safe work habits. Follows safety rules or protocols. References MSDS as appropriate. Wears PPE as required. Maintains a safe personal disposition by listening, showing patience and respecting people, tools and property. Takes ownership of a safe workplace for others.

Accountabilities:

1. Conducts assigned product testing verifying correct packaging, product grade, size, weight, color, and condition.
2. Monitors the work area for cleanliness and compliance to food safety regulations, safety protocols, and customer specifications
3. Provides any corrective actions to the plant leadership team.
4. Completes data entry in reporting system software used in management decisions. Data entry includes but it not limited to sizing, quality, product spec, lot numbers, varieties and Fields, customer order detail, and quality testing results.
5. Verify execution of food safety and quality assurance plan for first or second shift operations.
6. Performs product sampling to verify shipments meet customer requirements including grade, size, weight, color, and condition.
7. Identifies and records defects and sizing per USDA and customer standards.
8. Serves as quality control inspector providing performance feedback to management in a timely manner.
9. Ability to stop line and inform operations when varieties do not meet standards.
10. Assists in loading / unloading of plastic crates full of potato samples (R&D Lab)
11. Bruise Duties include: (R&D Lab)
    1. Weigh potato samples using a digital scale, Peel potato samples to evaluate bruising using both electric and hand peelers, accurately record and report findings
    2. Evaluate storage bins for visual defects such as sinkholes, sweat spots, mold or rotting potatoes
12. May perform Scouting duties during growing season as listed below: (R&D Lab)
    1. Observes fields, collects samples and records data regarding: insect pressure, weed pressure, plant disease and population counts
    2. Performs regular visual inspections of supplier fields to monitor crop health and ongoing conditions.
    3. Tracks and reports performance such as but not limited to; quality, yield and other field observations

Physical Activities/Demands:

This position involves a moderate level of walking and activity in/around the production floor.

This position requires the ability to: ascend/descend various types of ladders and stairs; move oneself into different positions in various environments (sometimes tight); walk moderate distances while pushing a wheeled cart; lift 20 pounds consistently and occasionally up to 50 pounds; communicate with others via voice, listening, and verbal response; repeat motions with the arms, wrists, hands and fingers; bend, stoop, squat and kneel; visually see and identify defects (color, variety, length, width, appearance); grasp and manipulate a kitchen knife; enter data via computer

Environmental Conditions: Physical activities are performed in temperature controlled indoor environments which could include noisy environments; slippery and wet floor conditions, exposure to regulated chemicals; dusty or poorly ventilated environments; dimly lit areas

NAICS Workers Compensation Code: 8209 - Vegetable Packing including Drivers

EEO Job Classification: Administrative Support

FLSA Code: Non-Exempt Hourly

Identify: Onsite

Job Function: Direct Labor

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