Quality Assurance Technician

Position Purpose: Supports food safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance initiatives while promoting Sandridge Core Values. Works under the direction of the Quality Assurance Manager to uphold product quality and integrity. Assists the Quality and Food Safety teams with daily operations, ensuring compliance with USDA/FSIS (Title 9) and FDA (Title 21) regulations.

Key Specific Responsibilities:

Review, verify, and maintain manufacturing, quality, and batch production records (including PBRs, GMP documentation, and production logs) to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with GMP, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.

Support batch release activities by confirming all documentation meets required specifications prior to product disposition.

Identify, document, and escalate discrepancies, deviations, and nonconformances; coordinate with Production, QA, Regulatory, and Supplier Quality teams to investigate, resolve issues, and implement CAPAs.

Maintain organized, audit-ready electronic and paper record systems in compliance with document control and retention policies; support internal, external, and regulatory audits.

Inspect and verify incoming raw materials and packaging for compliance with specifications, COAs, labeling, temperature, lot codes, and shelf-life requirements; ensure proper storage and handling.

Manage raw material controls, including hold processes, disposition, supplier communication, COA verification, and tracking of vendor corrective actions.

Maintain and update master data for facility materials, including specifications, testing requirements, allergen controls, storage conditions, and shelf life.

Coordinate sampling and testing of materials (microbiological and chemical) and collaborate with Innovation and QA teams to analyze trends and support product quality and development.

Conduct routine audits and inspections (receiving, pre-operational sanitation, and in-process checks) to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and sanitation standards.

Support food safety and regulatory compliance programs (USDA/FSIS, FDA, HACCP, SSOPs), including participation in inspections and ensuring adherence to prerequisite programs.

Perform in-process quality assurance activities, including organoleptic evaluations and analytical testing (e.g., pH, moisture, acidity), and monitor critical control points and quality parameters.

Provide guidance, training, and oversight to production staff on food safety, GMP, and quality practices to ensure consistent, compliant operations.

Collaborate cross-functionally to improve processes, resolve documentation and quality issues, support investigations, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Assist with additional quality activities such as complaint investigations, traceability exercises, and data collection/reporting as needed.

Perform all jobs safely, efficiently and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability and Productivity.

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications for Position (Experience, Education and Licensure):

Highschool Diploma- Required

Associate's Degree in Food Science, Food Microbiology, Biology, or a related field with an emphasis on Microbiology- Preferred

HACCP Certificate - supported by the International Alliance (USDA Products)- Preferred

Measurements of Performance:

Actively monitor and contribute to reducing customer complaints related to product quality.

Ensure products meet quality standards on the first pass.

Support accurate and timely processing of production orders to meet customer specifications.

Ensure all food safety and regulatory programs (USDA/FSIS, FDA) are correctly executed to avoid non-compliance.

Contribute to meeting departmental objectives, including continuous improvement initiatives, safety, and quality performance metrics.

Travel Requirements:

Overnight Travel - not required

Overnight Travel - sporadic - required

Overnight Travel- 20% or greater - required

Overnight Travel - valid passport required for international travel

Qualifications for Position:

Essential Competencies:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Take initiative to identify and resolve problems

Establishing accountability, timelines and goals are paramount

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety and values focused

Exemplify the Company's Core Values with each day's activities throughout all shifts

Use effective time management to ensure that tasks and projects are completed within agreed time limits

Lead by example in enforcing food safety, safety protocols, and quality standards while fostering teamwork and continuous improvement.

Produce a tangible, positive impact

Work effectively as part of a team or as an individual

Achieve consistently high results

Demonstrate high standards of professional conduct

Authority to provide oversight to food handlers and ensure that procedures are executed in a manner that assures food safety and quality

Capable of working with multiple departments to achieve company goals