Overview
QA Technician – Second Shift Jobs in West Chicago, IL at OSI INDUSTRIES, LLC
Organic Almond Inc.
Mission: We strive to be the trusted source for superior products. The employee owners of Once Again resolve to grow our company by at least 5% per year while increasing profitability through innovation, diversification, and cost-saving initiatives.
Vision: To become the employee-owned company that is most known for its quality and service.
Organic Almond, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Once Again, a leader in the natural and organic nut butter industry. As part of the Once Again family, Organic Almond is committed to producing high-quality, organic almond products with a focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing. This position is based at Organic Almond, Inc., benefiting from the values, mission, and resources of our parent company, Once Again.
Quality Assurance Manager – OAI
Reports To:
Director of QA
Quality Assurance
FLSA Classification:
Non-Exempt
7
EEO-1 Classification:
03/2025
SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION:
Position requires a strong Quality Team Leader who can provide specific guidance for the facility regarding the SQF Food Safety and Quality Program and overall culture of quality and continuous improvement. The position is very hands-on, executing the QA/Food Safety activities directly with no other current QA staff. The role conducts required product sampling and testing. Future growth may require addition of QA staff, which at that time would report to the QA Manager. The primary function of this role is to act as the SQF Practitioner for the site to assure not only compliance to the food safety and quality requirements but to provide leadership through actions to strengthen the culture of food safety, quality, and continuous improvement. The role will also support needs of external customers and sales and marketing team members. The role will lead facility audits as needed (regulatory, 3rd Party, certification, and customer). The role is the primary back-up for the site Plant Manager.
ESSENTIAL/MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Adherence to and emulation of Company Core Values: Integrity, Respect and Commitment. Function as a high performing team member with the values that support trust, interdependency and teamwork consistent with our Mission, Vision and Core Values.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Primary):
This position is directly responsible for food safety and quality.
Designated SQF Practitioner for the OAI manufacturing site.
Lead the HACCP/Food Quality team meetings and activities.
Actively audit food safety and quality programs and document non-conformances. Implement and communicate to other departments required corrective actions. Maintain Master Corrective Action Register.
Assure documents, sampling, testing required for maintenance of organizational certifications stays current and in compliance.
Conduct root-cause investigation of process, system, or product failures and work with other departments to develop and apply appropriate corrective and preventative actions.
Assemble and analyze data related to product quality and safety utilizing results to develop action plans as guided by the data.
Assure calibration programs are maintained for the lab testing equipment and equipment critical to support of HACCP and SQF programs.
Provide primary support conducting investigations of customer complaints and taking corrective actions.
Work closely with Director of Quality Assurance managing outside services – activities and costs.
Provide support as needed in ordering supplies for quality assurance and sanitation.
Work closely with Director of Quality Assurance in development of department budget.
“Model the Way” as a Quality Team Leader displaying compliance not only to guidelines such as quality and safety but also in how we interact with each other on a professional basis. Must possess a continuous learning attitude, being the technical resource, the team can count on when they have questions.
Proficiency with laboratory equipment to help provide training or troubleshooting as needed. Such as:
o Microbiological (Environmental, ATP)
o Physical (Grind Gauge, colorimeter, consistency – Bostwick)
o Chemical (Aflatoxin)
Proficiency with QMS (Quality Management System) software.
Proficiency developing specifications and labels to assure legal and certification compliance.
Provide training support for new staff added to QA department and for other departments as needed to meeting food safety and quality needs. Provide feedback to Director of Quality Assurance on progress and development of trainees.
Must be a lifelong learner willing to learn and grow with the organization in both technical and non-technical areas.
Conduct required audits to support SQF System requirements and perform associated document reviews. Verify and validate the SQF System based on current code requirements.
Aid in the decision-making process to resolve any quality or food safety issues that occur.
Support Lean/Continuous Improvement efforts within the organization.
Observe all safety rules and regulations for self and others.
Identify / resolve any quality issues with Director of Quality Assurance, production, sanitation, warehousing, etc. as appropriate.
Maintain good housekeeping.
Support R&D activities as needed.
Provide support in responding to or investigating customer inquiries or complaints.
Perform other duties as requested.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities (Plant Manager Back-up):
Coverage for Plant Manager during planned/unplanned absences.
o Supervise production activities and staff.
o Supervise shipping/receiving activities.
o Completion of any required production/receiving/shipping records.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No direct reports in the Quality Assurance department at this time. Should technicians be added, role would directly supervise those positions. Role would also supervise sanitation staff if added in the future. As back-up to Plant Manager, direct supervision of facility employees is part of the role in the absence of the Plant Manager.
In a leadership role, commits time to direct reports providing frequent performance feedback and taking an active role in developing direct reports for future growth assignments and roles.
Leads routine departmental meetings.
ESOP Members Responsibilities: Attend meetings and contribute to company agendas; take part at tradeshows of discussing the company’s product to new customers; we insist upon quality to ensure our company’s future.
Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Additional duties/responsibilities if deemed necessary will be assigned by your direct supervisor or a member of management staff.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies. The competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
Analytical – Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
Design – Generates creative solutions; Uses feedback to modify designs; Demonstrates attention to detail.
Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions.
Technical Skills – Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Customer Service – Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization’s goals and values.
Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
B.S. or B.A. Degree preferably with science focus (microbiology, biology, chemistry) or equivalent
HACCP – Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Point Certificate
SQF Practitioner Course/Certification
FSPCA Preventative Controls for Human Food Certificate of Training
Food Defense Training/Certification
Knowledge of Organic Standards
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, rates, and ratios. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Statistical knowledge a plus.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills:
Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), QMS (Quality Management Systems) software, Supplier Management software, ERP software experience, Video conferencing software.
EXPERIENCE:
Three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
OTHER:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose an undue hardship on the company.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.
PHYSICAL / GENERAL ACTIVITIES:
Reading, writing and communicating fluently in English
Mathematical Skills -Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Hearing and speaking to express ideas and/or exchange information in person or over the telephone
Vision – Seeing to read labels, posters, documents, PC screens, etc.
For plant/production positions, may involve standing for frequent and long periods of time – UP TO 4 HOURS.
Sitting, standing, moving about or walking for occasional or frequent periods of time
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate production machinery and equipment/maintenance of productivity equipment and/or a computer keyboard and other office equipment
Kneeling, bending at the waist, stooping and reaching overhead
Retrieving and storing files and supplies; occasionally carrying and/or lifting objects with a weight
of up to 50 lbs. in manufacturing facility and up to 20 lbs. within office setting.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
General office setting AND/OR combination of office and production/manufacturing facility
General factory and/or warehouse setting
May include Indoor and outdoor environment
Must be able to adhere to and work with a safe working culture
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme heat and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can vary from quiet to noisy when moving between the testing laboratory and the production floor.
Title: QA Technician – Second Shift
Company: OSI INDUSTRIES, LLC
Location: West Chicago, IL
