QA QC Technician

Quality Assurance Specialist

Who We Are

Tastemaker Foods/Reed Food Technology is a family-owned food manufacturing company with two locations in north and central Mississippi.  Our dry-blending facility, Tastemaker Foods in Hernando MS, produces batters, breaders, baking mixes, and dry seasoning blends for customers of all sizes. Our sauce plant, Reed Food Technology in Pearl MS, produces a wide range of sauces for retail, commercial, and industrial customers, including some of the best-known names in the world of competitive BBQ.  Thanks to our unique combination of size and family-ownership, we offer the familiarity and warmth of a mom-and-pop operation, with world-class production capabilities.

What We Are Looking For

Our Quality Assurance team is responsible for ensuring that everything we produce meets the highest quality standards.  We need another member to help meet the demands of growth at our Tastemaker Foods facility in Hernando, MS.  The ideal candidate will be a quick learner with strong problem-solving skills and work ethic.  Our QA department is one of the most demanding, fast-paced areas of our operation.  We need a team-member who can come up to speed quickly and keep up with the demands of the department.  

Essential Job Functions

·      Assist QA Manager and Supervisor as instructed.

·      Ensure Quality and Product Safety System meets regulatory requirements.

·      Inform Management of ANY Food Safety or Quality observed in any aspect of production.

·      Initiate action to prevent the occurrence of non-conformities related to the quality of products, processes, quality systems, or safety systems.

·      In the absence of an immediate supervisor, assume necessary operational and administrative duties.

·      Perform product safety and quality checks to ensure CCP and CQP compliance.

·      Serve as the secondary contact for all Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory matters.

·      Ensure the effectiveness of the Master Sanitation and Pest Control programs for the facility and any associated food-grade storage areas.

·      Ensure compliance with company HACCP program.

·      Communicate with both management and customers to assist in resolution of customer complaints.

·      Notify Supervision of any necessary repairs or adjustments to plant lines and equipment. 

·      Perform analytical checks (pH, salt, acidity, water activity) on production samples with speed and competence.

·      Perform quality checks (leakers, box print, pouch print, weights, pouch count) on finished products from packaging lines.

·      Maintain, label, and store QA retains for future reference.

·      Collect samples from production to send to a third-party lab for microbiological analysis.

·      Assist in monthly safety and quality audits.

·      Perform calibration of machines used in QA lab and maintain records in calibration logs.

·      Perform metal detector checks on production lines.

·      Document any CCP/CQP deviation on the deviation log.

·      Monitor and document chemical concentration of sanitizers used on the production lines.

·      Create product labels and ensure that those labels go to the correct production lines.

·      Inspect incoming and outgoing shipments for accuracy.  Maintain shipping/receiving logs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of the responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Education/Experience/Skills

·         Strong analytical aptitude and problem-solving skills.

·         Familiarity with food safety and QA programs such as SQF, HAACP/HARPC, GMP standards, or willingness to learn and excel in these disciplines.

·         Experience in a food manufacturing facility preferred.

·         Ability to function as part of a dynamic team.

·         Ability to stand for long periods, walk through a wet, hot and/or cold manufacturing plant, and lift 30 lbs.

Schedule

·         Our QA team works Monday through Friday, with weekend requirements as needed.