Quality Assurance Lab Tech - Nights

Company: Wells Enterprises (a Ferrero Company)

Functional Area: Quality

The Role

Under the direction of the Quality Assurance Supervision / Management, conducts assessments of the production process and production facility against established food safety and food quality standards. This individual is the primary responsible for: sample collection; record review; SPC; coaching and partnering with production staff in investigating, documenting and resolving process upsets, microbiology OOS instances. Drives at the line level appropriate application of food safety and food quality programs and practices and if issues arise taking appropriate actions in light of the data presented. The incumbent works in conjunction with QA Management / Supervision; Hygienist; Production.

What You’ll Do

• Under the direction of QA Supervision / Management, assures company food safety and food quality programs are appropriately applied during production, maintenance and CI events. Participates in line operations through attendance at Line Meetings and the sharing of key quality information such as environmental and micro data, hold statistics / first-time quality data, GMP coaching.
• Reviews processing, manufacturing, maintenance, and sanitation records as required to promote food safety and food quality initiatives and practices such as finished product and ingredient positive release. If shortcomings are encountered, helps drive situation to an appropriate solution. Reviews manufacturing control documentation, including, but not necessarily limited to: metal detection; code check; ingredient traceability and assures discrepancies or deficiencies are properly addressed.
• Monitors plant compliance with HACCP, PMO, WDI QFSE and SQF guidelines and policies. In conjunction with Hygienist, by conducting or participating in plant inspections as well as investigation of product and environmental out-of-limits situations, documents these investigations and implements sustainable corrective actions as required. Fosters a positive food safety and food quality culture amongst peers across plant disciplines and promotes compliance with established quality programs and practices.
• In conjunction with Document Control Coordinator, assures only the most current SOPs, Standard Work, Standard Settings and other manufacturing control documents are in place and maintained. Executes requirements of the QMS (Quality Monitoring Scheme).
• Collects product, in-process, ingredient, and environmental samples as necessary and assists in investigations as required. Performs some instrumental and wet-chemistry analyses on ice-cream samples as required to verify and validate adequacy of cleaning programs and mix-formulation compliance to company standards. Using statistical tolls as necessary, assists processing laboratory in maintaining an analytical control program for tests done in-process and appropriate analytical controls over tests done in QA lab.

Pay Rate: $28.85 per hour to start with pay increases at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.  Top rate of pay at 12 months is $31.19 per hour.  Night shift will receive an additional $1.50 per hour for night shift differential.

Shift/Hours: Nights.   Approximate shifts start time 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM.   Normal shift length of 10-12 hours.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Science, Microbiology, and / or Food Science a minimum (Which may be substituted for with demonstrated experience with food or nutritional products sanitation and cleaning or manufacturing and/or quality programs required). Familiarity with food / nutritional product legislation. HACCP, SQF and (FDA & USDA 21CFR & 7 CFR or even 9 CFR) - a plus.
• Demonstrated QA or production / technical experience in a in a medical product, food or nutritional product manufacturing or analytical laboratory setting; previous experience in an FDA/USDA regulated industry.
• Demonstrated experience with Cleaning, Sanitation and Chemical Control practices and an understanding of dairy/food manufacturing equipment design.
• Understanding of current Pest Management techniques in an FDA/USDA regulated industry.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, quality and chemical sanitation principles, specifically food or nutritional products. General ability to understand facility specific processes such as weighing, measuring, mixing, cleaning, sterilization, documentation, process control automation.

Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis

Wells Enterprises, a Ferrero company, is one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the United States and the maker of well-loved brands including Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics and today Trolli, Butterfinger 100grand, Baby Ruth, Nutella and Kinder Bueno. 

Wells Enterprises is a 2 billion company employing 4,000 employees, across 4 production plants and 2 main hub locations, Chicago and Le Mars. Guided by innovation, quality, and a people-first mindset, Wells is committed to delighting consumers and developing exceptional teams.

As part of the Ferrero Group, Wells combines its strong U.S. heritage with Ferrero’s global standards of excellence, offering a unique opportunity to grow within a dynamic, values-driven, and international environment.

At Wells, our people—and their experience—sit at the heart of our ambition.  Learn more at www.wellsenterprisesinc.com.

What We Offer

At Wells, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance.  Learn more about our benefits here.