Quality Associate Jobs in Pendleton, OR (NOW HIRING)

At Lakeside Foods and our family of companies, we're committed to providing wholesome foods to enrich people’s lives through food. We are a culture that pursues our vision of growth and innovation with passion, confidence, and commitment. We are strongest together – valuing collaborative contribution, transparency and new ideas to enable change and growth. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, and there’s a seat at the table for you.

The Quality Assurance Supervisor position ensures products meet quality standards by performing visual and mechanical inspections, conducting tests, and using measurement tools. They maintain accurate documentation, follow standard operating procedures, and report any deviations or non-conformances. This role also involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and support continuous improvement efforts.

What You’ll Get:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Affordable, market‑leading medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid vacation and personal time
• Long‑term growth opportunities with a stable, family‑owned company

What You’ll Do:

• • Supervise Quality Assurance personnel during production, packaging, labeling, and shipping.  
  • Train and audit personnel on quality tests and procedures.
  • Perform all on-line Quality Assurance (QA) functions.
  • Conduct routine inspections of the glass and brittle plastic, GMP’s, facility grounds and equipment, pest control, sanitation, etc., within the facility.
  • Perform necessary miscellaneous chemical and microbiological sampling.
  • Assist in all audits.
  • Conduct or assist with special projects and tests as assigned by Quality Assurance Manager.
  • Quickly identify and respond to quality issues, including placing materials on hold or shutting down production lines when necessary.
  • Perform and monitor customer sample requests and purchased product grading.

• • Review daily process records.
  • Input daily product grades following QA record review.
  • Enter, save and print data using Microsoft Excel and Access software programs that have been customized for the Quality Assurance department.
  • File records and maintain quality control documentation and filing systems.

• • Participate in team meetings and training sessions, working closely with production, maintenance, and QA teams to resolve quality issues.
  • Perform pre-operational inspections

What You’ll Bring:

• • High school diploma or GED, preferred.  
  • Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in food science, Biology, Chemistry, Quality Assurance, or a related field, preferred.
  • One or more years of experience in a quality assurance role within a manufacturing or food production environment, preferred 
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Must demonstrate operational understanding of machinery involved in the QA process. 
  • Experience conducting inspections and audits, preferred
  • Experience with documentation and record-keeping systems, preferred

• • Supervisory or team lead experience, preferred; Ability to lead and train QA team members effectively

• • Experience developing SOPs and training materials, preferred

• • Strong attention to detail and analytical skills, Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Access
  • Familiarity with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and other food safety standards
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
  • Comfortable making decisions that impact production (e.g., placing product on hold)

Preferred Certifications

• • HACCP Certification, preferred

-Successfully pass the PCQI and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification examinations within 12 months of being hired.

• • SQF Practitioner or similar food safety certification
  • Internal Auditor Training (e.g., ISO 9001 or similar)
  • OSHA 10/30-Hour Certification-Willing to obtain certification through on-site training.
  • First Aid/CPR/AED-Willing to obtain certification through on-site training.

Lakeside Foods and our family of companies welcomes people of all backgrounds and the varied ideas they bring to the workplace. Being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer is part of our heritage and culture. We recruit, hire and promote employees based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, marital or veteran status. Lakeside Foods participates in E-Verify.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities