Quality Technician I

• Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package focusing on your physical, financial, and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance  
  • 401(k) with up to 7% company contributions 
  • 3 Weeks PTO on day 1
  • Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
  • Paid parental leave 
• Advancement Opportunities 
• Healthy work/life balance

What you’ll be responsible for each day:

The Quality Technician I supports Agropur’s commitment to food safety and quality by monitoring and verifying production parameters in accordance with Quality programs.  The Quality Technician I is responsible for ensuring organization standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are followed to preserve integrity of the products while providing feedback for continuous improvements for the Quality System.

• Starting Rate: $24.73/hour
• 7am-7pm (2-2-3 schedule) DAYS

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Perform various testing including in-line sensory testing, in-line titratable acidity testing, in-line pH testing, equipment sponge swabbing, in-line production sampling, etc.
• Notify lead/supervisor about any inconsistencies.
• Support adherence and continuous improvement of pre-requisite programs including GMP’s, training, calibration, pest management, cleaning/sanitation, environmental monitoring, and allergen control.
• Comply with the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) program and help maintain the program in the production facility. 
• Work with Production on the Quality Systems during manufacturing process and consult with production to resolve quality, production, and efficiency problems. 
•  Actively participate in sustaining all certifications that Agropur Ingredients holds including SQF, NFS, Kosher, Organic, Certified Gluten Free, and Halal.
• Follow through with changes to existing products in response to complaints, customer requests, or cost-saving activity.
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness in production lines and 5S standards. Equipment and work areas are to be kept organized, clean and sanitary throughout the shift.
• Support product safety, quality and legality.
• Calculate and review specifications on testing data and enter data into Quality Laboratory Information Management System. 
• Assist in determining product disposition regarding holds during the time of manufacturing.
• Actively participate in root cause analysis for corrective actions that occur during production and other product non-conformances within the plant.
• Perform startup inspections and hourly checks on production lines.  (The amount of inspections/hourly checks varies per production line.)
• Review and sign off on production paperwork.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contact with Production, Maintenance, and Warehouse employees to obtain and provide information and will occasionally work with Inventory and Production Planning.
• Contact with customers for tours and audits, and regulatory agencies for audits.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Safety Protocol
  • Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
  • Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
  • Support safety policies and programs.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time. 

The individual who will own this role:

Education Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s Degree in Science, Food Science or Chemistry field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered.

Experience Required:

• Minimum one (1) year of production/food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of quality assurance procedures and sampling requirements required.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs and FDA required.

Certification/Licensure Required:

• Ability to obtain and maintain Appendix N certification for Certified Industry Analyst.
• Certification for all requirements of 2400 Series and Milk Cream Testers license as needed.

Skills Required:

• Able to exchange basic informational data (fill out forms/checklists, copy data from one record to another, etc.); interview to gather information; advise others on alternatives/options; coach and counsel others; read, understand and explain technical data.
• Ability to apply logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Quality and regulatory decisions administered soundly and consistently with policies and in compliance with appropriate laws and regulations. 
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with executives, managers, colleagues and individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Follow written, verbal and/or diagrammatic instructions; solve practical problems; interpret verbal and written instructions; conduct general informational, statistical, and technical research and analyze/interpret research; logical thinking to solve problems including abstract and concrete variables; address intellectual and practical problems; comprehend most complex concepts. 
• Basic math plus fractions, decimals and percentages, as well as algebraic calculations.
• Basic computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook and field-specific software.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills, establish priorities, ability to multitask, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment.
• Implement processes to organize and complete tasks, organize people and activities to support the process flow, ability to measure process success, insight to see opportunities for synergy and integration, and the aptitude to simplify complex processes.
• Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and work to maintain constructive working relationships.

Where you’ll be working:  

• Our Little Chute, WI, plant is home to about 95 employees. This facility is a top manufacturer of IQF sticks that are supplied to the appetizer industry. Next to the plant is our well-known Simon’s Specialty Cheese store, which has about 20 employees. Simon’s is a Wisconsin-themed store, with everything from meats and cheese to clothing and craft spirits. 
• Agropur’s US operations produce 1 billion pounds of quality, award-winning cheese each year. We create more than 20 different varieties and provide whey protein and dry ingredients which are by-products of the cheesemaking process. As one of the world’s largest dairy producers, Agropur partners with some of the most recognizable food, beverage, and nutrition brands to help feed the world. Better Dairy. Better World. Agropurus.com 

An environment that values engagement and encourages everyone to take initiative.