Quality Assurance Technician - Ames, IA

Job Purpose: The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for testing and logging data for raw materials, package materials, and finished product. Must control all material that does not meet quality or food safety specifications. Responsible for communicating effectively within the QA lab, within the plant, and also externally. The Quality Assurance Technician will provide support to ensure problem solving (root cause analysis) is carried out when non-conformities are identified. The schedule consists of five 8 hour days and could include weekends.

Key Accountabilities

• Work safely by following proper methods.
• Complete Safety Observations timely.
• Facilitate communication between QA staff and others in the plant.
• Verify and document the calibration of lab testing equipment.
• Check codes on boxes, cases, and pallets to ensure correct coding of finished product.
• Perform finished product testing as specified per the testing control plan.
• Perform raw material testing as specified per the testing control plan.
• Perform package material testing as specified per the testing control plan,
• Perform established lab tests consistent with the company's Quality Assurance procedures/methods for pasta.
• Perform cooking evaluations on production samples.
• Perform dimension testing on finished product samples using micrometers and calipers.
• Document and summarize experimental data for analysis and interpretation.
• Communicate results and observations to Barilla personnel as needed.
• Serve as the contact person for production and keep supervisors informed of changes and issues that may arise.
• Add all data to SAP data collection system and track in Excel as needed.
• Collaborate with manufacturing operators to prevent defects and, when defects are found, seek out and remove causes.
• Perform routine maintenance on lab equipment.
• Properly manage all Quality holds to ensure isolation and prevent accidental shipment.
• Compile end-of-the-month reports as required.
• Work and communicate well with others, and effectively builds and maintains good working relationships within Barilla America.
• Work in conjunction with the corporate office to facilitate product release in the absence of the Quality Professional
• Assist other Quality Assurance Technicians as needed.
• Comply with the environmental policies and procesdures at Barilla Ames facility including energy efficiency, reduce - re-use - recycle goals, reporting requirements and sustainable initiatives. Complete any environmental tasks as assigned and report environmental concerns immediately.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Follows ISO22000 policies and procedures, address / communicate quality and food safety issues as they occur.
• Required to be a FSMA qualified individual, following all requirements from FSMA regulations
• Ensure compliance and understanding for quality procedures that directly tie to food safety-PRPs, OPRPs, CCPs and FSMA requirements

Additional Information

• Bachelors degree in food science, biology, microbiology, food technology, or related field is preferred.
• High School degree is required.
• One year of previous lab experience is required.
• Three years of production experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, GMP's, food safety, GLP's statistics and lab techniques is preferred.
• Must possess the ability to work safely with chemicals as well as in and around high-speed manufacturing equipment.
• Must possess excellent organizational and problem solving skills. Some familiarity with Quality Tools (fishbone diagram, root cause analysis, statistical review, etc) is preferred.
• Must have demonstrated math/statistical computation skills.
• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to build and maintain good working relationships in QA and in the plant. Must exhibit outstanding effort and display a positive attitude.
• A general working knowledge of computers or experience with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel, is required.
• Must be able to work around all types of food and allergens, including, but not limited to wheat and eggs.
• Must be able to work any/all shifts, holidays, and overtime on occasion to support business needs.

Diverse candidates and veterans encouraged to apply.

Barilla is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Barilla to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard characteristics including, but not limited to, age, race, color, culture, ethnicity, nationality, faith, religion, gender, pregnancy, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran or protected veteran status, political opinions, health or disability.