Quality Assurance Technician – 1st Shift

Job #14484 | Hicksville, NY | 3-Month Contract | $19/hr

Sigma, Inc. is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician for a 3-month contract position at a food manufacturing facility in Hicksville, NY. This is an onsite, first-shift opportunity for a detail-oriented QA professional with experience in food safety, GMP, quality inspection, laboratory testing, or production quality control.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM. Weekend work may be required based on business needs. Extended hours may also be required.

Pay Rate: $19/hour
Position Type: Temporary, 3-month contract
Location: Onsite – Hicksville, NY
Requirement: Steel-toe shoes required

Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Technician will perform quality inspections, product testing, documentation, GMP compliance, and food safety monitoring throughout milk receiving, ingredient preparation, production, filling, packing, laboratory, and pre-operational activities. The QA Technician will verify that products and processes meet established quality and food safety specifications and will help identify and address quality or GMP violations.

Key Responsibilities

Milk Receiving

• Complete receiving documentation and quality records accurately.
• Collect product samples for testing.
• Perform product temperature checks.
• Conduct butterfat, acidity, and pH testing.
• Perform organoleptic and sensory evaluations.

Ingredient & Kettle Verification

• Review production and quality paperwork.
• Perform temperature, salt, Brix, pH, and viscosity testing.
• Release kettles using RS View.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and verify product specifications.

Filler Operations

• Complete required production and QA paperwork.
• Perform temperature, weight, and code checks.
• Verify metal detector and X-ray operation.
• Perform seal testing.
• Collect and maintain retain samples.

Packing Operations

• Complete quality documentation.
• Perform temperature and code checks.
• Verify labels and packaging.
• Conduct packaging and organoleptic evaluations.

Laboratory & Microbiology

• Collect water and environmental samples.
• Perform Listeria monitoring.
• Plate and incubate microbiological samples.
• Conduct testing on milk, eggs, environmental, and shelf-life samples.
• Maintain accurate laboratory and quality records.

Pre-Operational Inspections

• Complete required pre-operational documentation.
• Perform ATP and allergen swabbing.
• Verify magnets and cooler conditions.
• Check sanitizer concentrations.
• Confirm equipment is clean and production-ready before operations begin.

GMP & Food Safety Responsibilities

• Monitor compliance with GMP, food safety, quality, and security procedures.
• Identify quality or food safety issues and communicate findings to production leadership.
• Place products on hold when specifications are not met and escalate issues appropriately.
• Determine whether in-process products meet established specifications.
• Instruct employees regarding GMP and food safety violations when identified.
• Work closely with associates, leads, supervisors, and production management to maintain quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety, Food Manufacturing, Laboratory Testing, or Production Quality preferred.
• Understanding of GMP and food safety practices.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills.
• Ability to understand and follow science-based procedures.
• Ability to perform high-school-level mathematics, including algebra.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to make sound quality and product-release decisions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand for the majority of the shift.
• Ability to work in typical production noise throughout the shift.
• Ability to work in hot and cold temperatures.
• Ability to climb up to 8 feet daily.
• Ability to work extended shifts when business needs require.
• Weekend availability may be required.
• Steel-toe shoes are required.