QA/QC Technician, MI

Description:

Title: QA/QC Technician

Reports To: QA/QC Manager

Location: Benton Harbor, MI

Type: Full-Time | Onsite | Non-Exempt

LOCATION AND COMPANY SUMMARY

Nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, Benton Harbor offers a unique blend of affordability, opportunity, and lakeside living that’s hard to beat. Just minutes from the charming waterfront community of St. Joseph (less than a 20-minute drive), residents enjoy easy access to sandy beaches, boutique shopping, and year-round festivals. The area is also within a short drive of South Haven (about 30 minutes) and under two hours from Chicago, making weekend getaways effortless. 

With nearby wineries, golf courses, and outdoor recreation, plus a growing local food and arts scene, Benton Harbor delivers a laid-back lifestyle with big-city access—perfect for professionals looking to grow their careers without sacrificing quality of life.

Pero Family Farms is a market share leader with over a century of dedication, commitment and integrity. Operating since 1908, Pero is the farm trusted by retailers and consumers alike. We are a fully integrated farming operation, with departments that specialize in organic farming, logistics, global supply chain management, national sales operations, food processing operations, and strategic marketing functions. Our operation includes over 35,000 acres spanning across the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New York, with distribution and production facilities in several different states. We pride ourselves in maintaining a strong family heritage and tradition that has been dedicated to quality, innovation, and excellent customer service that has been feeding America’s families for over a century. Our family’s passion for farming remains unwavering, with a vision to continue the tradition for many generations to come, whilst maintaining the reverence and trust it has established with the American consumer. As we expand our offering to include an assortment of organic vegetable options; we have become one of the largest organic vegetable growers in the country and we are looking to grow our workforce family. Join us in continuing and strengthening our position as a market share leader dedicated and trusted by retailers and consumers alike.

JOB SUMMARY

It is the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Technician’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and guidelines, ensure compliance with all customer expectations, internal quality, and Food Safety Standards and Policies.

Requirements:

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Inspect inbound/outbound product
• Take temperatures and cultures of product
• Document all inspections and data as needed
• Perform assigned tasks related to quality and food safety
• The QA/QC Technician will be responsible for making sure company products are safe and meet or exceed company quality standards, and fully comply with food regulations.
• Monitor and enforce organic handling practices. 
• Critical Control Point testing of HACCP program
• To effectively operate PAA pumps, sanitizing outlets, and performs testing to assure Organic wash requirements are met
• To effectively operate chlorine pumps, sanitizing outlets, and performance of testing to assure chlorination wash requirements are met
• Sample pulling for shelf life, microbiological, and customer requirements
• Pre-Operational testing of sanitation to include: ATP testing of surfaces, and evaluations of cleaning practices
• To effectively monitor and test all metal detection units for assurance of metal free production
• Packaging and seal testing, relative to container type – such as vacuum, pressure, or bubble testing
• Calibrations on weight scaled, thermometers, and all applicable testing tools or detectors
• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) monitoring of operation to ensure food-safe environment
• Color code enforcement; sanitation, organics, allergens, others as required
• Hold and release program
• Rework program
• Shelf-life evaluation and sensory testing as required
• Paperwork filing
• Work with soap’s other cleaning chemicals
• Other duties as required 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Required to stand, sit, walk for long periods of time
• Frequent use of hands for simple firm, grasping and writing
• Occasional bending, stopping, reaching, and climbing
• Occasional Lifting, carrying 5 pounds to 50 pounds
• Occasionally using cutting utensils (I.E Knives, peeler, etc.)
• Exposure to product fumes such as onions, peppers etc.
• Exposure to varying temperatures of 45 degrees or less
• Exposure to chemicals such as chlorine, etc.
• Works overtime as required
• Other duties as required 

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

• Food Quality inspection experience, produce experience preferred
• Good communication skills, including basic written and spoken English, to ensure understanding of safety procedures and documentation
• Computer skills –
• Basics: Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Office
• Industry Specific: Famous
• HACCP certification or have participated in HACCP training
• Must be able to follow complex verbal and written instructions and be able to work independently to evaluate and resolve Quality-related problems and identify and communicate short term remedial actions. 
• Must have a high level of problem-solving skills. 

COMPANY BENEFITS/PERKS

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance and more
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

The company (Pero) reserves the right to alter, amend, expand or contract these duties and responsibilities as the companies needs evolve.