Quality Technician

COMPANY INTRODUCTION

Manzana Products Co. has been in business for over 100 years and is a leading producer of organic apple juice, apple sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Manzana is owned by Agrial, a prominent French co-op of 12,000 farmer members and a force in agriculture and food production.

Manzana’s mission is to create quality apple products by placing the highest value on people, suppliers, customers, and continuous improvement in manufacturing capabilities, with social and environmental responsibility at the heart of our actions.

We are in the process of relocating our manufacturing facility from Sebastopol, CA to Sunnyside, WA. While the facility is essential, we believe that building a strong, dedicated team is the key to success. At Manzana, we work each day to foster a culture focused on food safety, employee health and safety, customer service, continuous improvement, and an inclusive, respectful environment where all team members’ contributions are valued, and feedback is encouraged.

At Manzana, all employees are required to actively participate in our comprehensive Food Safety Program to ensure the consistent production of the highest quality and safest food products. This commitment is essential to maintaining our standards and protecting our customers.

Join us as we grow and make a difference together

Job Summary:

The Quality Technician position is to support the Quality Department. Tasks may vary from product to product. All assignments and designated work station will be assigned pertaining to workload

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Perform tests and use special equipment to ensure package and product quality

o pH

o Brix

o Viscosity

o Burst and Leak Test

· Keep daily records of tests performed and results.

· Complete all of the paper and Redzone Data Sheets to keep a record of the production day

o Able to achieve 95-100% of completion of Redzone Data Sheets

o All missed, Cancel and Fail checks must have a comment and reason.

o Each deviation (Fail check) leads to a Documented Corrective Action

o Follow up with operators to assure that all documents are properly filled

· Perform the pre-op inspection on time, making sure that the document is completed before the line starts.

o Able to know and do a corrective action if there is a deviation during the Pre-Op Inspection.

· Calibrate Line and Lab equipment on a daily basis, following the time specified

o Understand and do a Corrective Action in there is a deviation in the calibration of the equipment.

· Understand GMP expectations and ensure coworkers follow them.

· Know CPs and CCPs on the Production Lines, know limits of each CP and CCP

· Able to know and adjust the recipe parameters at kettle area

o Able to take action if brix and pH are not in specification

o Ensure that the recipe number and batch size are correct

· Able to perform Metal Detector checks.

· Able to take Corrective Actions if:

o The ATP Test Fails

o If there is Glass Breakage

o If there is High Conductivity

o If there is a deviation with the Packaging

· Able to take a corrective Action with Supply Chain if apple blend is not in specification

· Able to create Hold Router to place product, ingredients, packaging on Hold

· Able to complete and report any destruction of product

· Able to perform incubation and properly complete the report

· Able to do a root cause analysis in case of a deviation to understand the issues

o Able to coordinate the corrective action with other departments (Production Lead, Supply Chain and Maintenance)

o Collect all information and details of the deviation and report it to the Supervisor

· Organize samples from retention room

· Able to Supervise a rework team, ensure proper completion of paperwork ad perform training to the operators about the task to complete

· Communicate with the supervisor in case of deviation.

· Follow process guidelines and expedite quality concerns to management

· Build good working relationships with quality, production, Supply Chain and maintenance team members

· Able to perform a GMP audit, and the corrective actions if needed

· Able to perform Glass and Brittle Plastic Audit and provide Corrective Action

· Able to crate a SCAR Form in Redzone

· Able to perform Air Rinser Verification

Qualifications

· Minimum 1 year experience in a similar role in a food manufacturing environment.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Bilingual; English and Spanish

· Ability to work accurately, with interruptions, to meet deadlines.

· Excellent problem solving skills

· Ability to do analysis, draw conclusions, make recommendations

Skills:

· The ability to problem solves when a deviation has occurred

· The ability to work from a ladder or platform in a safe manner

· The ability to assure product safety

· The ability to learn multiple jobs and the proper procedures for performing these jobs.

• The ability to work both independently and with a team

Working Conditions

· This position is performed in a food-processing/production environment and may involve exposure to moving equipment, conveyors, high-pressure water, noise, wet surfaces, varying temperatures, and agricultural materials. Employees must follow all required safety, sanitation, and PPE requirements. Proper PPE and safety procedures are required at all times. The employee must be able to safely perform the physical requirements of the position, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting as required for assigned duties.

· This position regularly works 8- to 10-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturday work based on production and business needs consistent with applicable laws and company policies.

Required PPE may vary by work area and assigned task. Employees must wear all PPE required by company policy, hazard assessments, food-safety requirements, and posted area-specific requirements.

PPE may include:

· Hairnet

· Beard net

· Safety glasses or approved eye protection.

· Chemical-resistant gloves appropriate for the chemical and task.

· Chemical/water-resistant protective clothing.

· Safety boots with appropriate slip-resistant soles.

· Hearing protection in designated areas.

· Gloves or other task-specific PPE when required.

· Additional PPE identified through the applicable safety assessment, SDS, sanitation procedure, or posted area requirements.

· Employees are responsible for properly wearing, maintaining, and using required PPE at all times.

To protect food safety and prevent contamination, employees entering production areas must comply with all personal hygiene and GMP requirements.

The following are not permitted in production areas:

· Glitter, sparkles, or loose decorative materials.

· False eyelashes or eyelash extensions that present a contamination risk.

· False, artificial, or acrylic nails.

· Nail polish or other nail coatings.

· Jewelry, including rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces, earrings, piercings, or other loose accessories, except as specifically permitted by company policy.

· Items or clothing containing loose, fraying, dangling, or shedding materials that could present a contamination risk.

· Loose personal items that could fall into or contaminate product.

· Any other personal item, accessory, cosmetic, or material prohibited by company GMP and food-safety policies.

Employees must follow all posted hygiene, handwashing, personal protective equipment, and food-safety requirements when entering or working in production areas.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing applicable pre-employment screening requirements, which may include:

· Background check.

· Drug screening.

· DMV check and satisfactory driving record for positions that require driving or where driving-related qualifications are required.

· For forklift operation, successful completion of required forklift training and evaluation and compliance with all company requirements for authorized forklift operators.

Manzana Products Co. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position. Applicants and employees who require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the job are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Manzana Products Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and maintaining a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, business needs, and other legitimate job-related factors in accordance with applicable law.