Quality Technician

Open Gates Group is a family of companies located near Kalona, IA. We care about our employees and take pride in our community. To help our community's farmers, we built a creamery and then 10 other food industry-related businesses. Today, we help source, produce, sell & transport Midwestern products to 3,500 stores nationwide. Our Kalona Supernatural dairy products are minimally processed and come straight from Midwest family farms surrounding our creameries. We are currently seeking a Quality Technician to join our team.

The Quality Technician is responsible for coordinating and facilitating quality standards for the organization. This position works collaboratively with Open Gates Production teams to ensure production goals are met while maintaining quality compliance.

What you will do:

• Work collaboratively with the Quality team to conduct testing, including bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests on raw and finished goods at Kalona Creamery.
• Prepare product samples for external lab testing.
• Work collaboratively with production members and the Quality team to create and train on new SOPs and SSOPs.
• Obtain HACCP and PCQI certifications within the first 60 days.
• Performs and oversees the internal audit program at Kalona Creamery and Kalona Farms.
• Review and verify production paperwork at Kalona Creamery.
• Work collaboratively with OG team members to troubleshoot quality issues and/or process improvement activities.
• Complete daily product release log.
• Enforce quality standards, GMP’s, SOP’s and food safety plans at Kalona Creamery and Kalona Farms.
• Aide in new hire training for GMPs and chemical safety.
• Assist in creating training videos for production processes.
• Inform the Quality Director and Plant Operations Director of all quality results and issues.
• Actively participate in initiatives and investigations to improve products and processes related to quality, food safety, and consistency.
• Other duties as requested.

What you will need:

• High school or associate degree in a science-related technical field preferred.
• 1-3 years of working experience in administrative or laboratory environments.
• Knowledge of GMP and Quality systems is preferred.
• Attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Self-starter and able to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and knowledge of basic math.
• Able to handle and communicate quality-related issues with a sense of urgency.
• Passion and alignment with our mission, vision, values & operating principles.
• Passion for working in a values-based company in alignment with a learning organization.
• Willing to embrace personal and professional development while staying on top of industry trends.

Our Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, STD & LTD after 60 days of employment
• Matching 401k after 6 months
• Benefit Bonus/Stipend
• Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO) & Birthday PTO
• Opportunity for advancement!
• Discounted employee purchases!
• Unique, entrepreneurial culture!

Our Mission and Guiding Principles:

• We successfully create value and enhance lives by attending to how we do business!
• We Treat People Right
• We Think Like Entrepreneurs
• We Offer a Great Place to Work
• We Build Strong Relationships
• We Create a Place to Learn & Improve Life in Our Community

Interested?

Check out our website and apply! https://www.opengatesgroup.com/careers/

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

Ability to Commute:

• Kalona, IA 52247 (Required)

Work Location: In person