QA Technician I - San Leandro, CA

WHO WE ARE

At Ghirardelli, we're on a mission to become a one billion dollar brand and beyond. We want to be every consumer's first choice of premium chocolate, and we believe we can do that through our products and the way we do business, which are all inspired by our brand commitment to Making Life A Bite Better. We are a company committed to both personal and professional growth and believe that each employee contributes directly to Ghirardelli's growth and success.

The Quality Assurance Technician I (QA Tech I) is responsible for testing and inspecting products and processes at various points in the manufacturing process to ensure adherence to company quality & food safety standards. The role is responsible for establishing and executing the disposition of products that do not meet company quality standards and is responsible for performing and documenting quality and food safety results as required to ensure all products meet Ghirardelli's quality standards and food safety requirements.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Conduct analytical testing of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished product to assure company standards are met. Tests may include, but not be limited to color, particle size, fat content, moisture content, viscosity, pH, count per pound, free fatty acid and peroxide value, and flavor
• Conduct case cutting product analysis to evaluate product quality and prevent large-scale issues
• Utilize Good Laboratory Practices when conducting testing, handling out of specification results, labeling solutions, and recording data
• Maintain proper calibration and verification of laboratory equipment and document results in the Internal Control Plan. Take appropriate action to correct equipment deviations
• Conduct co-manufacturing product analysis on retain samples and maintain records
• Utilize an electronic record-keeping system to ensure testing results are in compliance
• Monitor electronic weight and attribute system to ensure compliance to company weight and quality standards. Communicate deviations to the appropriate department for corrective action
• Hold non-conforming raw materials, packaging materials, WIP and finished product
• Investigate and troubleshoot non-conformities and recommend appropriate disposition for product not meeting company quality standards
• Conduct Food Safety and Quality audits of production lines and records to ensure product being produced meets established standards
• Conduct environmental sampling at the required frequency, adhering to the Environmental Monitoring Program
• Verify and document proper allergen cleanup after production changeovers
• Create documents as needed and ensure that documents being utilized accurately reflect current processes and methodology
• Assist in training new technicians
• Maintain the laboratory and work areas according to 5s standards
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for customers upon requests
• Recommend modifications of quality and production standards to achieve optimum quality
• Special projects and other miscellaneous duties as assigned

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma/GED required and 3+ years of experience
• Bachelor's Degree preferred (Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or closely related field of study) and 1+ years related experience

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements:

• Frequent to constant repetitive fine manipulation (keyboarding, ten key, writing)
• Occasional sitting
• Constant walking
• Constant standing
• Rare to Occasional twisting of the neck and waist
• Rare to Occasional reaching at or below the shoulder level
• Rare to Occasional usage of verbal communication equipment (telephone, radio, cellular)
• Rare to Occasional squatting/bending/stooping/stretching
• Work in laboratory with equipment and machinery
• High noise environment
• A willingness to work weekend hours, overtime and any of the all shifts required

Schedule:

Monday to Friday, 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM.

Possible overtime work including weekends.