Quality Assurance Technician

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery(r), Otis Spunkmeyer(r), and Oakrun Farm Bakery(r). With 14 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

The FSQA Technician has the primary responsibility for protecting the food by conducting food safety and quality sampling, testing, and documentation to meet all regulatory, customer, and Aspire Bakeries requirements.

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for meeting all applicable food regulations
- Responsible for complying with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards (i. e. BRC, SQF)
- Responsible for supporting the HARPC Team in the implementation of an effective Food Safety plan focused on the elimination of biological, chemical, physical, and economically motivated hazards from our foods
- Responsible for sampling, testing, and documentation of the Quality Management System (QMS) including procedures, records, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Works to maintain the safety, legality, and quality of each food and the processes used in their manufacture
- Responsible for meeting and exceeding customer requirements
- Works to reduce customer/consumer complaints about foods manufactured on site
- Reports food safety and quality issues to their supervisor
- Authorized to hold product based on food safety or quality non-conformance
- Participates in daily food evaluation to identify possible defects
- Participates in physical bakery inspections on a weekly basis in each area (pest control, operational methods, maintenance for food safety, sanitation, personnel practices, etc.)
- Selects food items for analysis at specified stages in the production process for evaluating compliance with specification
- Inspection methods and frequencies outlined in procedures and specifications are measured as defined
- Personnel conducting testing shall be able to demonstrate and explain the process of testing
- Any out of compliance results are handled appropriately and reported to the Manager, FSQA
- Able to perform pre-operational inspections and report any concerns to their Supervisor
- Able to use the following instrumentation/measuring devices
- Thermometers
- Metal detectors
- X-ray devices
- Calculators
- Scales
- Gauges
- Calipers
- Rulers
- Moisture analyzers
- Ovens
- Ensures appropriate communication of food safety/QA issues with production Supervisors and Tech 3, FSQAs at shift change
- Maintain the required hygiene, safety, and quality standards on the production floor
- Other duties may be assigned and the Tech 3, FSQA is expected to effectively manage and execute changes

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor of Food Science, Microbiology, or Human Ecology preferred
- Training in HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) preferred
- Strong preference for 1-3 years prior work experience in a quality assurance role preferred.
- Training in HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points)
- Training in a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard such as BRC or SQF
- Good writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills
- Detail-oriented, and possess strong computer skills