Quality Assurance Technician

This position is based at our Hampton Farms location in Portales, NM.

Purpose:

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician of Hampton Farms is involved in the manufacture of food products intended for the consumer. The Quality Assurance Lab Technician provides a critical position in Hampton Farms food quality and safety for producing our peanut product. Being a producer of peanuts and peanut products, the Quality Assurance Lab Technician is aware of risks involved with regards to maintaining Hampton Farms quality standards, proper packaging, proper labeling, all receiving, and shipments are properly inspected, and all documentation is correct and accurate. The Quality Assurance Lab Technician is trained in various areas pertaining to the job required. The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician must maintain a clean and sanitary work environment and must be familiar with the activity on the production floor to react if a crisis arises.

Pay Rate: $15.00 – $17.00 per hour

Essential Duties and Description: include the following though other duties may be assigned:

  • Work in conjunction with all Hampton Farms team members supporting all areas of the facility.
  • Partnering with other Hampton Farms team members in being committed to delivering the best possible experience to our customers and employees in support of our mission, vision, and values.
  • Monitor what products are running during each shift. Hourly checks on products exiting Roaster(s), packaging machines and/or Dryer.
  • Knowledge of Quality Assurance Tests to be completed: Cracked and Broken, Color Test (shell and kernel), Moisture Analyzer, LSK’s.
  • Knowledge of HACCP and CCP’s at plant location. Ensure that roasters are meeting all requirements per Roaster Validation, log 5 Kill Step requirements.
  • Required to taste test and visually inspect product coming off roaster(s) and packaging lines. This is completely throughout the day, as product is being produced.
  • Complete work required paperwork, for example: QA documents, metal detector sheets, roasting peanuts report, and weight check sheets. Lab Tech initials on most paperwork.
  • Collect samples for 3rd party laboratory for micro samples and be able to document.
  • Send out samples for testing with proper paperwork.
  • Be able to determine if a product needs to be put on hold and document when product goes on hold or if product is reworked.
  • Assist Environmental Program
  • Data entry skills to produce reports, build files, and label printing.
  • Assist with incoming products, insure they are being inspected.
  • Monitor QA equipment and calibration schedules.
  • Responsible for Metal Detector and magnet verification on a daily basis. Report findings to QA Manager.
  • Monitor Raw Line Micro testing, Sanitation and ATP Swabbing.
  • Assist with new employee orientation if needed.
  • Knowledge of sanitation standard operating procedures, ensure all chemical bottles are labeled and used in the correct way. Refill chemicals as needed for production employees.
  • Assist with sample requests from customers, communicate with warehouse regarding product to be used.
  • Assist with UPS shipments, ensure boxes/shipments to be mailed out is located at UPS Pick-up location.
  • Motivate staff to make an effective and efficient team.Skills and Competencies:
  • Based on job performance, has required skills and knowledge to complete the responsibilities of his/her role.
  • Demonstrates a good understanding of workplace policies and rules, customer’s requests and production/business needs.
  • Understands the origin and purpose behind company policies, procedures and practices.
  • Acts in accordance with the company’s mission, vision and values.
  • Must possess good communication skills, written and oral.
  • Participates in GMP Training, annual or as assigned.
  • Understands HACCP Standards and SQF requirements.

Measures for Success:

  • 100 % correct product, packaging, and orders fulfilled accurately and timely.
  • Maintaining quality service by following organization standards.
  • Work with team members maintaining daily sanitation by cleaning work area at end of shift.

Quality Assurance:

  • Knows and adheres to GMP Policy and all Quality policies and procedures.
  • Assists in identifying and/or reporting non-conforming product to aid in eliminating waste.
  • ANYONE who is aware of a food safety/quality issue is to stop production immediately and inform Quality Assurance and their Manager or Supervisor of the food safety/quality issue(s) to determine whether or not product/materials should be placed on hold.
  • Communicates daily with Quality Assurance Manager to ensure customer specifications are met.

General Expected Behaviors

Problem Solving:

  • Solution Oriented, working until a problem is solved or outcome achieved; finds alternative ways to complete a task.
  • Reacts to challenges by locating or providing solutions.
  • Takes responsibility to define all requirements of a task, evaluated opportunities or strengths then takes the appropriate action as required.
  • Makes timely, well-considered decisions based on current data available and is flexible with scheduled work hours/shifts.

Safety:

  • Actively follows all company policies and procedures, encouraging team members to do the same.
  • Engages other employees in setting high safety awareness standards.
  • As required, acts to improve conditions quickly.
  • Include safety emphasis in all employee meetings.
  • Wears proper PPE at all times.

Work Ethic:

  • Dependable and punctual to ensure company and workplace goals.
  • Treats everyone with respect and dignity.
  • Responds to challenges with a sense of urgency, informing other team members as required and acting accordingly.
  • Actively assesses information and identifies underlying issues as required to ensure a friendly workplace.
  • Plans and aligns appropriate resource to accomplish company goals.

Communication:

  • Good written and verbal skills and able to communicate in a clear and understanding manner.
  • Identifies barriers to communication and strategies to eliminate them.
  • Applies good questioning and listening skills to ensure their understanding of information being shared.
  • May coach and lead production employees in questioning, listening and identifying barriers to communication.

Additional Sanitation Responsibilities:

  • Knowledge of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Ensure all chemical containers are labeled and used in the correct way.
  • Ensure overall compliance and adherence to sanitation schedule and/or requirements.

** If Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician is out, a trained responsible person shall be designated to run the Quality Assurance Department. Back-up will be another QA Lab Technician. **

Education and Experience:

Required:

  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be willing to work overtime and weekends.
  • Ability to clearly present recommendations/ideas and to summarize issues.
  • Ability to appropriately handle and maintain confidential material.

Desired:

  • Experience in quality operations.
  • Must be able to work well both independently and collaboratively.

Skills/Competencies:

  • Second language (Spanish), a strong plus.
  • Proficient in standard Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Work).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None Required.

Job Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are required and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Degree of Physical Demands (Strength) usually associated with the essential functions of this job classification are as follows: Medium Work involves exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently or an amount greater than negligible and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of these for Light Duty. Continuous standing or sitting in one location for long periods (2-3 hours before break).

Other demand levels for this job may include the following, infrequently:

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. Described in terms of height, steepness, duration, and type of structure climbed.

Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching or erratically moving surfaces; or maintaining body equilibrium when performing mobile dexterity duties. Described in terms of type or condition of surface and activities during which balance must be maintained. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Described in terms of duration. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine. Described in terms of duration. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Frequently – Activity exists up to 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift. Frequently – Activity exists up to 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are. Frequently – Activity exists up to 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Color Vision: Ability to identify and distinguish colors. Occasionally – Activity exists up to 1/3 of the time.

Work Environment

  • Combination of manufacturing environment along with duties that will require employee to work in a production/plant environment where physical hazards such as industrial equipment and forklifts may be present.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • 401K Matching
  • Paid Vacation and Personal Days
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Military Leave
  • Jury Duty Leave

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

For Additional Information Visit: www.hamptonfarms.com

Quality Technician

This position is based at our Hampton Farms location in Franklin, VA.

The Company

Hampton Farms is the leading In-Shell Peanut Company in the US. We are also a leading producer of other types of nuts and nut butters for the retail and commercial markets. You can find our product in most grocery stores and major league baseball stadiums. We distribute under the Hampton Farms brand and are also a leading private label manufacturer.

Job Purpose

The QA technician will work in conjunction with the Production Team & Quality Assurance department as well as other Hampton Farms team members supporting processing and production requirements of Hampton Farms Peanut Butter Operations. The QA technician will be partnering with other Hampton Farms team members in being committed to delivering the best possible quality to our customers & employees in support of our mission, vision & values. This position reports to the Production Lead/Supervisor and the Quality Supervisor/Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Must NOT be allergic to peanuts
  • Ability to provide correct and accurate production paperwork to the floor in a timely fashion.
  • Accurately use raw peanut lab results to adjust formulations when required.
  • Accurately completed all Quality reporting forms
  • Verify that finished peanut butter LOTS are correct. This includes all aspects of the peanut including sensory evaluation, grind, labels, best by dates, DOM, lids, containers, coding, drum seals etc
  • Provide accurate sampling of peanut butter lots for micro testing, collect and store retain samples for any future use
  • Create accurate labels for products on line 2
  • Accurately document samples for testing with proper paperwork as well as arrange for shipment to outside testing labs.
  • Perform CCP verification checks on Metal Detector and X-ray machine. Appropriately react to any CCP verification check failures.
  • Alert production team to food safety or off quality situations immediately
  • Properly identify materials that are non-conforming. Lead efforts to get non-conforming materials on HOLD; including physically tagging items, filling out quality alert and other required documentation.
  • Perform visual pre-operational sanitation inspections prior to beginning of the day’s production to ensure food safety”
  • Work with production supervision to get the line up and running if it is stopped for quality or food safety concerns.
  • Stop the line when needed to prevent further manufacture of off spec product, once you are aware of the problem
  • Perform swabbing—allergen, ATP and environmental
  • Perform quality checks such as changeover inspections, finished product sensory, evaluations of peanuts in raw or on tote line
  • Inspection of incoming materials and shipments of finished product.
  • Requires an understanding of all necessary documentation ensuring it is correct and accurate.
  • Collect samples for retains and for micro samples and be able to accurately document samples for testing with proper paperwork as well as arrange for shipment to outside testing labs.
  • Ability to determine if a product needs to be put on hold and document when product goes on hold or if product is to be reworked.
  • Will be responsible for generating report forms, building files and labeling.
  • Assist quality Supervisor or other team management in any task, forms, or paperwork that needs to be done as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

  • High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
  • Experience with food manufacturing Principles and implementation.
  • 1-3 years’ production manufacturing experience.
  • Must be able to work well both independently and collaboratively.
  • Skills/Competencies:
  • Ability to clearly present recommendations/ideas and to summarize issues.
  • Ability to appropriately handle confidential material.

Job Physical Demands:

  • Continuous standing in one location for long periods (2-3 hours before break)
  • Climbing: ladders, stairs, etc. –using feet and legs or hands and arms 1/3 of the time
  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
  • Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands
  • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds by ears
  • Depth Perception: Three dimensional vision. Ability to judge distances
  • Color Vision: Ability to identify and distinguish colors

Work Environment

  • Combination of manufacturing environment along with duties that will require employee to work in a production/plant environment where physical hazards such as industrial equipment and forklifts may be present.

Benefits

Health Insurance ~ Employee Assistance (EAP) ~ Teladoc ~ Life Insurance

Employee Referral Program ~ 401K Match ~ Disability ~ Tuition Assistance (TAP)

Paid Vacation and Personal Days ~ Vision ~ Paid Holidays ~ Jury Duty Leave

Dental ~ Bereavement Leave ~ Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Core Values “Equip” – Environment Quality Understanding Integrity People

Application Process – This job is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference checks, education verification, pre-employment drug screening, and a criminal history check.

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

For Additional Information Visit:  www.hamptonfarms.com

Quality Assurance Technician

Purpose

The role of a Quality Assurance Technician is critical to ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of our products. You will closely work with other team members to maintain high standards of product quality and consistency and be committed to deliver the best possible quality product to our customers and employees. The position is based in Severn, North Carolina.

Pay: $21.00 – $24.00 per hour

Types of shifts:

3rd shift – 11:00PM – 7:00AM

Required Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel)

  • Attention to detail
  • Exceptional communication skills
  • Proven problem solving ability; sound judgement and decision making

Responsibilities:

Production Support:

1. Coordinate and verify with the Supervisor or Team Lead on what products are scheduled to be produced during that shift.

2. Conduct routine clean-break inspections, physical and analytic tests for moisture, brine salt content, sensory evaluations (visual, feel, smell, chew, taste), cracked and broken count, determine peanut grade by count, and color analysis products to ensure compliance and specifications have been met.

3. Collect product and environmental samples from various stages of production including elevated platforms that require climbing ladders

4. Maintain accurate records of all quality control activities including test results, production logs, inspection reports, and any other necessary documentation.

5. Identify quality issues or deviations from standards and work with production team members to address the root cause.

6. Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment and testing instruments to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.

7. Maintain cleanliness and organization of the work area, including removing debris, spills, and disposing of waste materials properly.

8. Follow all safety protocols and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries.

8. Collaborate with other team members to ensure smooth operations and timely completion of tasks.

10. Participate in training programs and workshops to enhance skills and knowledge related to packaging and food safety regulations.

11. Adhere to company policies and regulations regarding hygiene, dress code, and conduct in the workplace.

12. Other duties, as assigned.

Sanitation Support:

  • Perform allergen swabbing
  • Perform ATP swabbing
  • Perform environmental swabbing

Bulk Material Program:

  • Enter received items into testing spreadsheet
  • Sample bulk material
  • Prepare shipments to laboratory
  • Review COA results
  • Release bulk items

Hold and Release program

  • Tag all items on hold
  • Maintain hold log
  • Issue hold notifications
  • Review COA results
  • Release items
  • Weekly hold reconciliation
  • Support QA Manager during audits

Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Previous experience in a manufacturing or packaging environment is preferred but not required.

3. Ability to lift and carry moderate to heavy loads, up to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods on hard surfaces and climb ladders.

4. Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain focus in a fast-paced environment.

5. Good communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

6. Possess math skills for calculating formulas and recording inventory.

7. Understanding of occupational and food safety protocols and willingness to follow all safety guidelines.

8. Flexibility to work varying shifts, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Quality Assurance Supervisor

This position will be based at our Hampton Farms location in Severn, NC.

Company

Meherrin Agricultural and Chemical is a leading provider of agricultural solutions, operating across 30+ locations along the Eastern Seaboard. We are dedicated to building strong relationships with our customers while continuously investing in training, technology, and research to deliver effective crop input solutions.

Summary

The quality assurance Supervisor of Hampton Farms is involved in the manufacture of food products intended for the consumer. The quality assurance Supervisor is a critical position in Hampton Farms food quality and safety for producing our peanut product. The quality assurance supervisor is trained in various areas pertaining to the job required. He / she will assume all duties as the quality assurance manager in his / her absence.

Responsibilities

  • Verify with the production scheduler what products are running at the beginning of each shift.
  • Must be able to complete work required documentation, for example: QA documents, metal detector sheets, Damage Moisture Color (DMC) sheets, and weight check sheets. Must also review quality control technician’s paperwork.
  • Be able to collect micro samples and be able to document. Send out samples for testing with proper paperwork.
  • Review daily roaster logs and validate roaster log data. Immediately report any out of validation conditions to the plant manager and quality manager.
  • Serve as Backup SQF Practitioner
  • Responsible for food safety every day, assume primary responsibility if the Quality manager is out of the plant. Be able to determine if a product needs to be placed on hold and document when product goes on hold or if product is reworked.
  • Report of Quality/Food Safety issues and Corrective Actions in Management Meetings
  • Serve on Food Safety team, Co-Chair Food Defense Team, hold team meetings and other responsibilities as defined.
  • Train QA techs on pre-operational sanitation inspections and GMP inspection. Review these results and take corrective actions if needed.
  • Advanced use of office applications to produce reports, programs, procedures, build files, and label printing
  • Complete Certificate of Analysis (COA) based on micro results for finished product.
  • Assist with maintaining files for Ingredient COAs, Kosher certificates, customer information, consumer complaints and shipment logs.
  • Maintain Master Sanitation Schedule, Chemical Control Program, Sanitation Training and techniques.
  • Lead/Assist with 3rd party audits and assist with audit preparation
  • Verify with production that all product produced meets Hampton Farms and customer quality standards. Monitor all specifications for raw materials and finished product
  • Assist in developing training programs, and training staff on policies and procedures
  • Work with production supervisors to uphold and enforce policies
  • Ability to speak and lead in a group

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety. Biology/Chemistry, Food Production or related field (combination of work experience/education may be substituted)
  • Experience with food manufacturing Principles and implementation.
  • Minimum of 4+ years’ experience in Quality Assurance.
  • Must be able to work well both independently and collaboratively.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

  • PCQI
  • HAACP
  • SQF Practitioner

Job Physical Demands:

  • Continuous standing in one location for long periods (2-3 hours before break)
  • Climbing: ladders, stairs, etc. –using feet and legs or hands and arms 1/3 of the time
  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
  • Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands
  • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds by ears
  • Depth Perception: Three‑dimensional vision. Ability to judge distances
  • Color Vision: Ability to identify and distinguish colors
  • Lifting: must regularly lift and move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift/move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

Combination of office and manufacturing environment. Duties will require employee to work in a production/plant environment where physical hazards such as industrial equipment and forklifts may be present.

Benefits

Health Insurance ~ Employee Assistance (EAP) ~ Teladoc ~ Life Insurance

Employee Referral Program ~ 401K Match ~ Disability ~ Tuition Assistance (TAP)

Paid Vacation and Personal Days ~ Vision ~ Paid Holidays ~ Jury Duty Leave

Dental ~ Bereavement Leave ~ Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Core Values “Equip” – Environment Quality Understanding Integrity People

Application Process – This job is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference checks, education verification, pre-employment drug screening, and a criminal history check.

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

For Additional Information Visit: www.hamptonfarms.com