Smithfield Foods

Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technician- 1st Shift

Mason City, IA Full time

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A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!

Your Opportunity

Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:

  • Hourly Competitive Starting Pay – $22.65

  • Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.

In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development.

Assists the quality assurance department in monitoring the manufacturing and packaging process to ensure that products are produced to specification. This job requires attention to detail and decision making based on Company instructions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Perform process checks in the manufacturing departments.

  • Perform AQL checks on the pack floor (includes shipping out product samples).

  • Inspect and analyze raw materials.

  • Must be physically able to perform essential elements of job as determined by Company.

  • Possess knowledge of product specifications as to determine when product must be placed on “Hold”. And keep hold tag log up-to date.

  • Help train employees on product specifications.

  • Verify metal detection checks and LAE checks.

  • Verify net weight checks.

  • Collect shelf life, chem. and path hold samples.

  • Perform oven or tumbler cleaning inspections.

  • Perform leaker checks.

  • Perform packaging paperwork review (First Piece Inspections, LAE, Metal Detector, etc).

  • Help to maintain pack floor reference books (replace sheets when they need to be replaced).

  • Perform sanitizer checks.

  • Complete product cutting evaluations and grind product samples to be run in the chem lab.

  • Complete product cutting evaluations.  Grind and prepare finished and raw samples for chemistry.  Analyze samples using the FOSS FoodScan and Salt Analyzer.  Enter all data and results into a database.

  • Reinforce general GMPs, SSOPs, etc.

  • Must work as a team member with hourly and salaried employees to achieve the above mentioned requirements.

  • Must be willing to work daily, weekly and weekend overtime. 

  • Must have working knowledge of manufacturing and packaging processes.

  • Must be detail minded and accurate with all paperwork associated with job.

  • Any other duties assigned by the Company may include:

  • Sensory duties

  • Raw material inspection

  • Process Checks in Manufacturing

  • Data entry

  • Works with supervisor to evaluate quality reports.

  • Any other work deemed necessary by the Company.

  • May rotate with other employees designated by management.

  • Be able to understand and follow instruction from Plant Manager, QA Manager. Production supervisor, or QA Techs and perform at required efficiency level as determined by Company.

  • Must adhere to all Company policies including but not limited to safety, sanitation, personal hygiene and product quality.

  • Must understand and follow all HACCP procedures and RTE.

  • And other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Qualifications/ Education/ Experience/ Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Language and Technical Skills requirement:

Ability to work with or without supervision. Ability to interact properly and efficiently with people.  Also ability to work under pressure.  Organization, communication, teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills. Ability to recognize materials, products, equipment and tools in detail.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

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.

* This job has an increased risk of injury to hands and shoulders

  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time

  • Must be able to constantly work in temperatures of 33 – 60 degrees

  • Must be able to lift 20 – 75 pounds on a regular basis

  • Must be able to handle stress on back, shoulders, legs, and hands

Disclaimer:  This position description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principle job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation.  As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Relocation Package Available No

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.