Receiving Technician

Primary Purpose: The Quality Receiving Technician supports the site’s food safety and quality programs by performing incoming inspections, sampling, and documentation review for raw materials and packaging. This role verifies that inbound loads meet approved specifications; completes required checks (e.g., condition, labeling, lot codes, temperature where applicable); places materials on hold when requirements are not met; and coordinates timely communication with Quality, Warehouse, Procurement, and Production to protect product integrity and maintain traceability.

Responsibilities:

• Inspect incoming raw materials, ingredients, and packaging for conformance to specifications (e.g., seal integrity, damage, cleanliness, labeling, lot codes, pallet condition, pests/contamination evidence).
• Verify receiving documentation including bills of lading, allergen statements, ingredient declarations, certificates of analysis (COAs), and supplier documentation as required.
• Collect incoming samples using sanitary/aseptic techniques as applicable; label and route samples to the QA lab or approved third-party testing per SOP.
• Perform and document required checks (e.g., temperature of refrigerated loads when applicable, condition of tanker seals, sanitation status of trailers, and load securement).
• Initiate and manage the hold process for nonconforming materials: identify, tag, segregate, and communicate holds; maintain accurate hold logs and disposition records.
• Communicate quality concerns to appropriate stakeholders and support investigation, corrective actions, and supplier complaint documentation as directed.
• Maintain accurate receiving inspection records and data entry in spreadsheets and/or quality systems to support traceability and audit readiness.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety plans (e.g., HACCP/Preventive Controls), and site policies for allergen control, foreign material prevention, and sanitation.
• Support internal and external audits by providing records, demonstrating receiving controls, and participating in corrective action follow-up.
• Assist with training of receiving/warehouse personnel on quality-related receiving requirements and documentation practices.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, including sampling tools and any QA receiving stations, to prevent cross-contamination.
• Perform other quality-related duties as assigned.