Quality Assurance Grading Specialist

Responsible for poultry grading and certification activities under the Alternative Poultry Grading (APG) Pilot Program ensuring officially graded or certified products meet applicable USDA quality standards, specifications, labeling requirements, and facility procedures outlined in the approved QA Grading Manual. Performs quality evaluations and for identified nonconforming products notifies the appropriate personnel, recommends process adjustments, places products on hold, and supports restriction of shipment when products do not meet established standards or certification requirements. Follows approved procedures, maintains accurate records, and helps protect the integrity of the official grading and certification activities.

At Butterball, we exist to help people pass love on. As the most recognized name in turkey, the brand represents more than 60 years of cherished memories, providing quality, great tasting products that make meals something to celebrate every day.  We proudly believe that life at Butterball means having a team who supports you, having the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and making an impact on the health of others daily.

Whether you choose to work at one of our five (5) manufacturing facilities in NC, AR, MO, farms in AR, NC, and KS, corporate office in NC, IL, or in the field, we believe we have an opportunity for everyone to succeed.   At Butterball, we believe in fostering a culture where every team member is valued, has the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute to our success. Join us in our Purpose and apply for an opportunity today!

Key Responsibilities

1. Performs random, unbiased sampling and quality evaluations of officially graded or certified poultry carcasses, parts, and further processed products to verify compliance with USDA grading and certification requirements, Grade A standards, Federal Purchase Program Specifications, commercial specifications, End Product Data Schedules, and facility quality standards.

2. Evaluates products at designated grading stations for defects, contamination, adulteration, readiness-to-cook requirements, and other quality or certification criteria to ensure ongoing compliance throughout production.

3. Records sample results, timestamps, production downtime, retained product quantities, and other required verification data accurately and promptly.

4. Communicates unacceptable results, excessive defects, process concerns, or required adjustments to the designated contact or QA leader.

5. Initiates or supports product hold procedures for products that fail to meet grading or certification requirements and verifies proper identification, segregation, disposition, and reinspection of retained product.

6. Assists in maintaining product hold logs, training records, label logs, production volume records, and other documentation required by the QA Grading Manual.

7. Verifies that official USDA grade marks, shields, stamps, or certification markings are used only on eligible products that meet requirements.

8. Supports verification of scales, thermometers, water meters, and other measuring equipment when applicable.

9. Participates in USDA plant reviews, comparative samples, quarterly audits, and corrective action activities as needed.

10. Follows approved Plan, Do, Check, Act procedures and help identify preventive and corrective actions to maintain program integrity.

11. Maintains effective communication and collaboration across internal and external partners (i.e., QA leadership, production team, USDA Graders, USDA Auditors, etc.).

Minimum Qualifications (Educations & Experience)

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• 3 + years of relevant experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role
• Must complete required QA Grader training and demonstrate grading proficiency; training must be completed upon hiring or assignment to the role and refreshed on a recurring basis, at least annually

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Butterball Core Competencies

Caring about people, valuing contributions, and empowering to succeed is the Butterball Way. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to Butterball and seek to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Everyone has a seat at the table and is expected to embody our core competencies:

• Safety First: We put safety first. The health, safety, and well-being of our people, products, and turkeys is everyone''s responsibility and everyone''s jobs.
• Integrity: We trust each other to do the right thing. We act with integrity and gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, respect, and authenticity.
• Stewardship: We take care of what matters. We are accountable to our commitments and take responsibility for the well-being of our teams, our quality, our customers, our business, our brand, and our communities. We are always answerable for our actions and those we lead.
• Enthusiastic Attitudes: We create a climate where everyone feels they belong and can be engaged, every day. Where our people are enthusiastic and motivated to do their best and work together to make great things happen.
• Continuous Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement. We challenge ourselves and our company to constantly learn, develop, grow, improve, and innovate.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of applicable poultry grading standards, product specifications, defect criteria, and plant quality procedures
• Basic understanding of labeling controls, product holds, rework procedures, and equipment verification requirements
• Ability to read, understand, and follow written procedures, sampling plans, specifications, QA Grading Manual requirements, and quality standards consistently
• Skilled at performing accurate visual inspection and product evaluation in a fast-paced production environment
• Strong attention to detail, recordkeeping accuracy, and ability to document findings clearly
• Firm interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills with the ability to communicate quality concerns promptly with a diverse population (i.e., production, QA, USDA representatives, etc.)
• Sound judgment with the ability to recognize nonconforming products, communication appropriately, and support appropriate corrective actions
• Ability to maintain consistency in applying quality procedures and standards without bias
• Ability to work assigned production shifts and provide adequate coverage when officially graded or certified products are produced
• Firm time management, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in poultry processing, quality assurance, grading, inspection, food safety, or production

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate equipment, computer, telephone, keyboard, and occasionally climb and lift up to or about 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

• Work will be performed in a variety of conditions. Occasionally in a climate-controlled office environment(s) and primarily in a manufacturing plant environment with varying conditions, such as cold areas, wet areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site conditions. This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment while in the manufacturing environment.
• The noise level of the office environment is usually moderate; the noise level in the manufacturing environment may exceed 85 DBA and require hearing protection.

Disclaimer

We embrace equal opportunity employment. Butterball is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

This position is deemed Safety Sensitive for purposes of Butterball's Drug/Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy. Details will be provided to individuals who receive a conditional job offer, or upon request.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.