Quality Assurance Technician

**About Kainai Forage**:Kainai Forage is an international exporter of premium forage, primarily timothy hay. The Company’s single-origin product is grown on the Kainai Blood Tribe lands in Southern Alberta and the business has expanded to over 80,000 MT/year since 2019. Kainai Forage’s dynamic team runs a 24/7 operation to meet our customer’s needs in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US.

**Reports directly to**:VP of Sales and Marketing or designate.

**Job Purpose**: This position is an important role within the organization as the position will work alongside the Sr. Quality Assurance Tech, Logistics Manager, Export Administrators, Inventory Specialist, Scouting, and plant staff to provide product quality assurance to ensure that the organization remains compliant with all regulations set by the Canadian Hay Certification Program (CHCP) and meets customer quality standards. This position enables the plant to operate efficiently from a product intake, order, and fulfillment standpoint by having the knowledge of forage quality standards and the related procedures.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Maintains strong and consistent communication with Production, Logistics Manager, Export Administrators, Foreman, and the Marketing team regarding quality of inventory at the plant to ensure that orders are accurate, properly documented and communicated to customers.
- Inspects and grades raw materials to ensure consistency and integrity of the organization on a weekly basis or as needed.
- Approves incoming materials by confirming specifications, conducting a visual and measurement test, and rejecting and returning unacceptable materials and advising inventory specialists.
- Receives data and information to support quality control with applicable parties and updates databases and sends information as needed.
- Maintains records associated with grading examinations of each hay source, field inspections, quantity, lot identification, country of destination and other quality control related information. These records maintained in accordance with Quality Control System Manual and CHCP regulations.
- Supports and ensures successful audits with CFIA.
- Maintains a strong agronomical knowledge as it relates to production practices and ensures activities meet Quality Control System Manual and CHCP requirements.
- Ensure compliance with the procedures specified in the Quality Control Systems Manual to ensure compliance with the CHCP.
- Knowledgeable in the identification of regulated and invasive species and pests and prohibited host material according to each export country product is sold to.
- Maintains communication with Foreman to ensure production line is processing the correct grade as requested by the customer.
- Adheres to all company policies and procedures and creates a contributes to a collaborative work environment for all team members.
- Adheres to and meets all CFIA, CHCP requirements and the Quality Control System Manual.
- Contributes to team effort by carrying out additional duties as requested by management.
- Maintains a safe work environment by following standards and procedures and following set policies, which include Finance, Personnel, Safety, and Operational.
- Accomplishes organization goals by completing related results as needed. Collaborates with Supervisor to generate a weekly checklist. Supplies daily written updates to Supervisor about the status of completed tasks. Including details such as specific orders, pivots, and farmers, etc.
- Supports operations as needed. Includes participates in daily crew meetings and supports crews when needed
- in the plant and sheds, including teaching production crews and inspecting raw product as it enters the plant.
- Ensures all communication with Supervisor and peers in the workplace is respectful and professional.

**Qualifications and Skills**:

- Experience in Quality Assurance
- Knowledge or Experience in certified export quality hay production; timothy and alfalfa would be an asset.
- Industry experience where Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is involved would be an asset.
- Computer skills, knowledge and/or experience w/ MS Outlook, Excel, Word, & Teams.
- Forklift and Loader operator tickets are an asset.
- Class Five Driver's License, and a Clear Driver's Abstract.
- Ability to translate skills and knowledge to others, with good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to facilitate complex problem solving through good organization skills.
- Fosters teamwork and is dependable.
- Optimist, self-starter and eager to learn new things and continuously improve.
- Organization, typing, attention to detail, confidentiality.

**Working Conditions**:

- Weekend, Evenings and Overtime will be required as a result of business needs, particularly at harvest in July and September/October
- Exposure to noise, dust, fumes, and adverse weather conditions.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- The production plant i