QA Engineer I - 1st Shift

Faribault Foods - Tucson, AZ

Full-time - Entry Level

Tucson, AZ

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Quality Engineer-I at Faribault Foods in Tucson, Arizona, plays a crucial role in ensuring the production quality and compliance of the company's operations. This position is dedicated to providing expertise on quality-related issues, conducting audits, and performing trend analysis on quality results. The Quality Engineer-I will support the plant's goals of quality, safety, productivity, and customer service by monitoring production processes and ensuring adherence to established standards. In this role, the Quality Engineer-I will perform analyses according to control plans and HACCP procedures, documenting findings on appropriate forms. They will verify thermo process capability and ensure that products conform to specifications, recommending new product specifications as necessary. The engineer will conduct heat penetration testing to understand how process variables affect product attributes, driving improvements in product quality. Compliance with FDA and USDA requirements is paramount, and the Quality Engineer-I will validate that product and process capabilities meet these standards for both current and proposed product changes. The position involves performing bench work analysis in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Standard Methods. When analysis results indicate poor or abnormal trends, the Quality Engineer-I will react according to a decision grid, initiating root cause analysis and corrective actions to meet plant quality objectives. They will also participate in the development and implementation of SOPs, improve tracking systems, and provide training on quality requirements, including sanitation methods and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). As a member of the Material Review Board, the Quality Engineer-I will lead continual improvement efforts with suppliers through assessment audits and conduct supplier quality meetings. They will develop processes in line with FSSC 22000, PAS 220, or SQF quality system elements, ensuring the adequacy and conformance of processes through internal audits and corrective actions. The engineer will maintain a clean and orderly workstation, adhere to safety practices, and demonstrate exemplary behaviors as a role model for GMPs. Communication is key, as the Quality Engineer-I will provide expertise in troubleshooting quality-related problems and communicate results and concerns to business units regularly.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis according to control plans and HACCP procedures and record the information on appropriate forms.
• Verify thermo process capability and conformance to process specifications of products and recommend new product specifications.
• Conduct heat penetration testing on products to understand the impact of process variables on product attributes to drive appropriate improvements in products.
• Validate that product and process capabilities are met for present and proposed product changes in accordance with FDA & USDA requirements.
• Perform all bench work analysis according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Standard Methods.
• React according to the decision grid when results from analysis show bad (poor or abnormal) developing trends.
• Initiate root cause analysis and corrective action efforts when plant quality objectives are not met.
• Participate in updating, developing and implementing appropriate SOPs for the Business Units.
• Participate in developing and improving tracking systems and provide training and awareness programs to the factory for quality requirements.
• Certify manufacturing processes using quality assurance tools.
• Lead continual improvement of suppliers via assessment audits and conduct supplier quality meetings.
• Develop processes and procedures in accordance with FSSC 22000 & PAS 220 or SQF based quality system elements.
• Drive adequacy and conformance of processes and procedures through the internal audit process and the corrective action process.
• Participate in Plant Quality Audits on equipment, material, product and procedures.
• Maintain workstation in a clean and orderly manner daily.
• Adhere to company policies concerning GMPs.
• Show exemplary behaviors by being a role model for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Participate in appropriate operator training and business unit quality performance assessment.
• Provide expertise to business units in troubleshooting quality-related problems.
• Communicate concerns/results daily, weekly, and monthly to the business units and the organization.
• Be proactive when incidents arise: analyze facts and results during investigations and take additional actions if necessary.
• Communicate detailed summary of incident and actions taken to departments affected and concerned.
• Maintain high morale and quality focus among plant personnel, and support the plant's union-free status.
• Maintain proper safety conditions of equipment and of Company assets.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with related experience and/or training.
• Ability to understand and follow directions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate good attendance and manual dexterity.
• Ability to work extended hours and/or overtime as required.
• Participation in job development training, such as equipment cross-training and team development training.
• Ability to effectively read, write, speak and comprehend English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as percentages, graphics, ratios, and proportions.
• Basic understanding of statistics, such as averages, standard deviations, variances, and frequencies.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, and paid End of Year Shut Down
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, & Vision) - after 60 days
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) Retirement Plan & Employer Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Perfect Attendance Incentives
• Life Insurance - Company paid
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability - Company paid
• Job Progression Program - Earn as You Learn
• Employee of the Month Recognition Program
• Wellness Program - Up to $150 in rewards
• On-campus gym; free weights, elliptical, treadmill, etc.
• Employee referral bonus $200, for the employee
• Provided uniform shirts twice a year - Company paid
• Reimburse up to $150 for steel toe boots every 12 months